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Brisbane Roar sign Japanese forward Ryo Wada on loan

Brisbane Roar is pleased to announce the signing of Japanese forward Ryo Wada on loan from J1 League outfit Sagan Tosu.

The 26-year-old landed in Brisbane on Thursday and will spend the remainder of the Isuzu UTE A-League season with Warren Moon’s side.

“I am looking forward to life in Australia and of course playing for Brisbane Roar,” Wada said.

“I am very excited. I have heard the fans are really warm, really passionate. I think by joining the team I will become a better player.

“Since I was a child, I always knew Australia as a very strong country, a very tough contender in qualifying for the World Cup.”

Describing himself as a hard-working attacker who likes to shoot, Wada made three J.League Cup appearances for Sagan Tosu in 2021 and broke into the J1 matchday squad late in the campaign.

Ryo with Roar CEO David Pourre

His most productive season to date was with FC Ryukyu in 2018, when he scored seven goals to help secure a J3 League title and promotion.

Wada said he was familiar with the Australian exploits of Riku Danzaki, the Roar’s leading scorer last season, and the success of Kazu Miura, Shinji Ono and Keisuke Honda across the competition.

“I know they uplifted the league and I would like to become like them,” he said.

Wada will wear the No.18 shirt for the Roar.

Head Coach Warren Moon said: “We are pleased to welcome Ryo to the club.

“I am sure he is going to bring plenty of energy to the group and he gives us another option in the final third.

“It is particularly pleasing for us as a club to continue expanding our presence in the Japanese and Asian markets as we know there are plenty of quality players in those regions.”