Rento Takaoka 'to join' Patro Eisden after medical | OneFootball

Sponichi reports that Rento Takaoka has passed a medical ahead of a permanent move to Belgian second-tier side K. Patro Eisden Maasmechelen. The transfer is regarded as close to completion.

The forward arrived on the south coast in March 2025 from Nissho Gakuen High School after a pre-contract agreed the previous summer. He represented Japan from Under 17 to Under 20 and scored all four of their group-stage goals at the 2023 Under 17 World Cup.

A loan to Valenciennes, who share Sport Republic ownership with Southampton, stalled after a stress fracture in his foot. He returned having played 16 games and scored three times, totalling 549 minutes, and departs without a senior appearance. Transfermarkt currently values him at about £128,000.

For a 19-year-old in need of minutes, Belgium’s second tier could offer a timely reset and a platform to rebuild value. It jars with Southampton’s usual gradual pathway for Japanese prospects, highlighted by the Kuryu Matsuki blueprint, so a clean sale after one injury-hit year is an outlier.

Verdict: 2/5, a modest upside play for Patro Eisden given his limited output and broken loan. Likelihood: 4/5, with the medical completed and a named report, a formal announcement looks likely barring a late twist. A small loss for Southampton, and a move that could suit both parties.

Source: Sainstmarching.com