Brisbane Roar have completed the loan signing of Japanese youth international defender Yuji Takahashi for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.
Brisbane Roar have completed the loan signing of Japanese youth international defender Yuji Takahashi for the upcoming Hyundai A-League season.
Signed from J-League 2 side Kyoto Sanga, Takahashi arrives in Australia on Friday morning and will join his team mates for his first training session on Tuesday morning.
The 19-year-old has represented his country at both U18 and U19 level and will be a boost to the club-s stocks of central defenders.
Standing at 185cm, the young defender completes Brisbane-s senior playing squad for the 2012/13 season.
With the final piece to his squad puzzle in place, Head Coach Rado Vidosic said he was now focused on having his side in prime condition for the opening game against Perth at Patersons Stadium on October 7.
“With Yuji we-ll have three central defenders (Matt Smith and Matt Jurman) and we also have James Donachie and Jason Geria as cover from the National Youth League,” Vidosic said.
“However as Jason and James away regularly on youth national team duty, we needed someone who would be here permanently and available for selection.
“He-s a young, talented player and he-s very good in playing out from the back, so he-ll fit in perfectly with our style of play.
“He can also play in several positions across the backline so there will be some added versatility.”
Brisbane Roar squad: 1. Michael THEO (gk), 2. Matt SMITH (c), 3. Shane STEFANUTTO, 4. Matt JURMAN, 5. Ivan FRANJIC, 6. Erik PAARTALU, 7. Besart BERISHA, 8. Massimo MURDOCCA, 10. HENRIQUE, 11. Ben HALLORAN, 14. Rocky VISCONTE, 16. DO Dong-Hyun, 17. Mitch NICHOLS, 18. Luke BRATTAN, 19. Jack HINGERT, 20. Matt ACTON (gk), 21. James MEYER, 22. Thomas BROICH, 23. Anthony PROIA, 24. Nick FITZGERALD (youth), 25. George LAMBADARIDIS (youth), 26. Corey BROWN (youth), Yuji TAKAHASHI (number to be assigned).
