Can Atsuki Ito rediscover his J League form with Bolton after inconsistent time in Belgium | OneFootball

Atsuki Ito has left Gent to join Bolton. While many are expecting Max Dean to make that exact move before the window closes, Ito has been the first to switch Belgium for the Championship. He leaves Belgium without having ever really shown what many expected him to when he joined Gent back in 2024. Perhaps a change of environement and league with Bolton can help him rediscover the form he had shown in past seasons in the J League.

Ito joined Gent after four seasons with Urawa Red Diamonds in the J League. The central midfielder had scored 19 goals and provided 15 assists in that time. His first season in Gent was okay, but not spectacular. He joined a side that had lost one of its more influential midfielders in Hyun-Seok Hong, and there had been hope that Ito could fill the void. During his first season, Ito played 46 games for Gent, scoring twice and providing one assist. His numbers actually improved last season, even if his appearances began to drop. In 33 games, Ito scored five goals and provided three assists.

Yet it became clear that Rik De Mil, the Gent head coach, preferred other players in the central areas. Ito will bring some versatility to Bolton, being able to play anywhere centrally, either deep or further forward. Yet with Gent he was never able to cement his place in one of those positions. De Mil preferred former Cercle Brugge man Leandro Lopes as a defensive midfielder, alongside Matias Delorge when fit. Abdelkahar Kadri was the preference of the coach in the more attacking central areas.

Ito certainly has quality technically, and two seasons in Belgian football should help him with the physicality of the Championship.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson