Was a regular under Skibbe
©IMAGO
According to consistent media reports, Fortuna Düsseldorf is about to sign midfielder Satoshi Tanaka from Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The six-man team was most recently a regular at the Japanese first division club under former co-national coach Michael Skibbe. At Fortuna, the 23-year-old – now the 14th new signing this season – is supposed to help with the mission to stay in the league.
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The fact that the matter is very concrete was already heard on Monday from the daily newspaper “Sponichi”. On Tuesday “Bild” also wrote that the change was almost fixed. It will be the first new addition from new sports director Sven Mislintat, who inherited Klaus Allofs early in the middle of the month. In Japan, Tanaka is considered a versatile midfielder with exceptional technique.
In Europe, Tanaka gained his first experience at KV Kortrijk in Belgium, where the training club Shonan Bellmare had given the talent. At the beginning of 2025, Sanfrecce and coach Skibbe signed the Naganō-jin native. Under the former Bundesliga coach, Tanaka made 47 appearances and made his debut for the Japanese national team in July. The possible Fortuna newcomer is not related to selection colleague and ex-Düsseldorfer Ao Tanaka (27). The namesake, who now plays for Leeds United, is among the seven most expensive sales at F95.
Japanese players are always interesting and have a certain tradition with us. But why do we need it again? In my opinion we are very well staffed in midfield. The problem is the full-backs, a second striker next to Itten and a leader on the pitch. Is that Tanaka at 23? …
