Ryotaro Ito is reportedly edging closer to a move to Europe with Ange Postecoglou’s Celtic reportedly setting their sights on yet another Japanese talent.
That is according to Yahoo Japan; a Celtic side inspired by the success of Kyogo Furuhashi, Daizen Maeda and Reo Hatate weighing up a return to a familiar marketplace ahead of the summer transfer window.
According to the Daily Record, 25-year-old Ryotaro Ito is a name on Postecoglou’s radar. A stylish, highly-gifted attacking midfielder who idolises Ronaldinho and models his game upon the fancy footwork of Brazilian technicians, Ito has seven goals and two assists in 15 J-League games for Alibrex Niigata this term.
And, with his contract expiring in January 2024, Albi may opt to cash in to maximise Ito’s diminishing market value.
Is Ryotaro Ito the latest Japanese ace on his way to Celtic?
Yahoo Japan say that a move to Europe is in ‘full swing’; Ito’s agent holding talks with the Osaka-born magician following Albirex Niigata’s recent clash with Gamba Osaka.
The report does not name the club Ito could join, but the smart money may be on Celtic after Kyogo, Hatate and Maeda – and to a lesser extent Tomoki Iwata and Yuki Kobayashi – helped former Yokohama F Marinos boss Postecoglou secure a second-successive Scottish Premiership title.
“First of all, I really liked Ronaldinho. He was a player that I definitely watched at least once a day,” Ito told Goal recently. “He’s a player I really like. I try to imitate and pay close attention to the footwork of Brazilian players.”
A disciple of Jogo Bonito and a man who should fit Postecoglou’s style like a glove; Ito has spent his entire career in Japan, starting out at Urawa Red Diamonds. Having turned 25 in February, he is now ready to consider moves away from the Far East and into the European West.
“I’ve had a very high awareness of (the benefits of moving) overseas since I was little,” he adds. “It’s still the case now.”
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