Sato becomes Valencia’s first Japanese in Primera División | OneFootball

Ryunosuke Sato has officially joined Valencia on a deal to 2031, becoming the club’s first Japanese in Primera División.

He arrived at Manises airport yesterday morning, underwent medical tests in the afternoon, then signed his contract. AS reports that Valencia will present him in the Ciutat Vella district as their third signing of the season after De Haas and Guido Rodríguez, with Dieng to follow as the fourth addition of the summer.

A product of FC Tokyo’s academy, he became the club’s youngest first-team debutant in 2023 at just 16. Since then, he has established himself as one of Asian football’s leading emerging talents.

A 2025 loan to Fagiano Okayama proved pivotal in his development. His performances earned the J1 League Young Player of the Year and a fan-voted All-Star selection.

Back at FC Tokyo last season, he recorded six goals and one assist in 19 competitive matches.

Internationally, Sato has featured across Japan’s youth sides and won the AFC U-23 Asian Cup a few months ago, where he was named best player and finished top scorer with four goals. He debuted for the senior team in June 2025 and has played five official matches, becoming the youngest Japanese to appear in a World Cup qualifier.

Source: AS