Leeds United’s new Head of Football Development for Asia, Toshiya Fujita, has discussed his role.
Leeds United’s Head of Football Development for Asia, Toshiya Fujita, has told Number Web back in his native Japan that he still wants to be a coach one day – and believes that clubs only want Japanese players under the age of 22.
The Whites have undergone a huge overhaul on the pitch this summer, as the Whites have brought in Felix Wiedwald, Andy Lonergan, Vurnon Anita, Matthew Pennington, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Mateusz Klich, Madger Gomes, Ezgjan Alioski, Samu Saiz, Caleb Ekuban, Pawel Cibicki, Jay-Roy Grot and Pierre-Michel Lasogga all arrived at Elland Road.
However, Leeds have also made major changes off the pitch too, following Andrea Radrizzani’s move to buy the club outright from former owner Massimo Cellino.
Japan’s Alex (3-L) celebrates with Toshiya Fujita (2L-#16)
Thomas Christiansen, Victor Orta and Ivan Bravo have all arrived as manager, sporting director and director respectively, with Leeds make real strides forward off the pitch under Radrizzani.
Another recent appointment is that of Toshiya Fujita, who has arrived as Leeds’ new Head of Football Development for Asia, following a spell as a coach with Dutch side VVV-Venlo.
A former Japanese international who enjoyed a lengthy spell with Jubilo Iwata as a player, Fujita is now turning his attention to finding gems for Leeds in the Far East, which could come to fruition quickly amid Orta’s claims of a ‘surprise signing’ being close from Asia
Now, Fujita has spoken to Number Web back in his native Japan, claiming that clubs in Europe only want to sign Japanese players if they are under the age of 22 – as seen with Daichi Kamada’s move from Sagan Tosu to Eintracht Frankfurt this summer.
Fujita’s task will be to find the young players worth signing for Leeds, but he did also note that he wants to return to coaching one day, having spend around three years on the training pitch with VVV-Venlo; a club who gave big breaks to Maya Yoshida and Keisuke Honda, with Leeds looking to land similarly impressive Asian talents.
“Many Japanese players now play globally, not only in Europe but also in South America and Asia, now I feel that the knowledge and information on transfers has increased and the way of thinking is becoming more diverse,” said Fujita. “During the off season and the summer, there are cases where players get big news and gather attention. There are two major points that the clubs in Europe cite as conditions for acquiring Japanese (and other Asian) players.”
“One is “to be young people who can step up to the next club by raising for 2 or 3 years (18 to 20 years old)”. Another thing is “being a young Japanese representing their class already in Japan” (20 to 22 years old) “. In other words, only young people under 22 are basically eligible.”
“I myself decided to “transfer” to Leeds United of England from the new season. The title is “Head of Football Development – Asia LUFC”. In a country that calls a manager as a manager, I’m thinking about learning team management by engaging in reinforcement while working on the front side,” he added.
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