FC Tokyo has signed a professional contract with Ryunosuke SATO (affiliated with FC Tokyo U-18) and held a press conference at Japan National Stadium on Saturday, August 26. We will share comments from SATO and also from Shigeya Kawagishi, the President and CEO, and Mitsushiro OBARA, the General Manager.
<Shigeya Kawagishi, President and CEO>
We are pleased to announce that FC Tokyo has signed a professional contract with Ryunosuke SATO, who is a member of FC Tokyo U-18. This professional contract is a result of the club's ongoing commitment to player development in the academy.
Although he is a second-year high school student, he made his official J-League debut in the Levain Cup in March, and by participating as a starting member, he has updated the club's record for the youngest player held by Takefusa KUBO (currently with Real Sociedad). In the matches he played, he displayed impressive performance on the professional pitch, and to encourage his growth by experiencing the professional level at an early stage, a professional contract was signed.
In the recently held U-17 Asian Cup, they showed very impressive play and made a significant contribution among the Japan national team. With the U-17 World Cup coming up in November, we expect them to perform on the world stage as well. We hope to encourage their growth as a future key player and eventually see them selected for the Japan national team, becoming not only a representative of FC Tokyo but also of Japan.
<Mitsushiro OBARA GM>
We would like to express our gratitude to everyone involved in the development process of the club, including the coaches, as well as all the football-related individuals, school officials, and family members, including the parents, who have supported Sato throughout his journey, for the opportunity to sign a professional contract with a player full of potential. The club decided to make this decision to sign a professional contract at this time based on a comprehensive assessment of Sato's activities in the academy and his performance in various age-level Japan national team matches, believing that this timing will further accelerate his growth.
Regarding his play, I believe that his ability to read the game, observe opponents, high physical capabilities including high-intensity movement, and quickness stand out compared to players of the same generation. The ability to choose the opponent's weak points, intelligence, leadership, and effective communication are essential for Tokyo to win the league championship, and I look forward to him becoming a central player in the team. Of course, there are challenges, and he needs to grow further, but I want to support him as he faces these challenges and aims to become a top player in Japan and eventually make his mark on the world stage.
Q: Does this mean that I can participate in activities for both the U-18 and the top team?
A, as a player registered as a second category, you can participate in the top team's activities from training. If you can be involved in the upcoming league matches or the Levain Cup, you will accompany the official match roster. Even if that is difficult, I believe that at Sato's current age, experience in official matches leads to the most growth, so there are options to return to U-18 activities to participate in the Premier League or to play in practice matches with the top team. I would like to discuss while always choosing the stage where Sato can grow the most.
During the pre-season camp, there was a moment when I thought that Sato could definitely compete in the professional world. Without saying anything, Sato ran over to Nagatomo, jogged together, and asked various questions, showing high communication skills and a desire to improve, as well as a determination to draw something out from Nagatomo. Additionally, Kuryu MATSUKI mentioned to me, 'I think Sato will become an amazing player.' When I asked him why, he said, 'His way of thinking and speaking is similar to mine.' I felt the potential and mental strength of Sato that made Matsuki say such things.
<Ryunosuke SATO>
I am Ryunosuke SATO, and I have signed a professional contract with Tokyo. I am thrilled to be able to play as a professional player as a member of the club I have admired since childhood. I believe I have only just reached the starting line of a professional contract, so I want to develop a sense of awareness as a professional player and focus on achieving results from here on. I will continue to work hard to become a player who excites not only Tokyo but all of Japan. Thank you for your support.
Q: Please tell us your honest feelings when you received the offer for a professional contract.
A, the most important thing is that I was honestly happy. Being able to play with professional players on the stage I aimed for, and considering my own future growth, I signed the contract without hesitation.
Q, please tell us your thoughts on being able to sign a professional contract at this timing.
A, the Japan Club Youth Soccer Championship ended with a runner-up finish, but there were many positive aspects in terms of individual performance. I signed a professional contract at this timing, and I believe it was a very good timing for the upcoming World Cup and PREMIST.
Q: You participated in the camp before the start of this season. Is there anything that left an impression on you during that time?
A, what left the strongest impression on me was when Yuto NAGATOMO returned from the World Cup and talked about his experiences with the national team and as a professional player. I believe his words and approach to soccer had a significant impact on me. Yuto NAGATOMO is someone I admire and aspire to be like. Although we play different positions, there are very few players in Japan who have excelled on the world stage and experienced the World Cup four times, so I will do my best to surpass Yuto NAGATOMO.
