Kubo back at Zubieta to begin key year with Real Sociedad | OneFootball

According to AS, Take Kubo returned to Zubieta on Thursday to start pre-season with Real Sociedad, the first international back after the 2026 World Cup. He will not feature in UK friendlies against Wolverhampton and Aston Villa, and it remains to be seen how he has recovered from the knee injury sustained in Japan’s opener.

After debuting against the Netherlands, he was caught by a Denzel Dumfries challenge and left the pitch in clear pain, then did not play again at the tournament. He later said he had been grabbed all over, and when asked if supporters could relax, he replied he thought so but was not sure.

Luka Sucic is due to rejoin on Friday, with Gonçalo Guedes scheduled for 29 July and Mikel Oyarzabal on 10 August.

Last season was disrupted by fitness problems and brought only two goals. He headed into the tournament aiming to be important for Japan and regain rhythm, only for that plan to stall. He is under contract until 2029 and is focused on getting up to speed under Pellegrino Matarazzo.

Under the American coach, the Japan international targets a swift return to sharpness and influence in the system. He has five seasons with Real Sociedad, scoring 25 goals in 164 official matches. His immediate aim is to regain competitive rhythm and move past the physical setbacks of last term.

Source: AS