REAL MADRID HAVE won the race for Japanese sensation Takefusa Kubo, with the youngster agreeing a switch to the Santiago Bernabeu having previously spent time with Barcelona.
Having celebrated his 18th birthday on 4 June, the youngster has been freed to return to Europe. A spell at Barca was previously cut short after they were found to have breached regulations regarding the acquisition of players under the age of 18.
He had been in Catalunya since August 2011, but headed home in March 2015. Kubo had been highly-regarded while taking in a spell at the famed La Masia academy system.
His outings for Barca’s youth teams earned him a billing as ‘the Japanese Messi’. Those at Camp Nou had been hoping to be the ones to benefit from his obvious potential, but he has now linked up with a Clasico rival.
Real Madrid said in a statement on their official website: “Takefusa Kubo will reinforce Castilla next season.
“[He is] an attacking midfielder with excellent technique, very skilled, with vision of the game, great dribbling and eye for goal.
“Despite having only just turned 18, Kubo is already an international with the Japanese national team.”
Prior to staking a claim for minutes at the Santiago Bernabeu, Kuko will get an opportunity to catch the eye at the 2019 Copa America.
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Don’t go there kid.. Go somewhere where you’ll be appreciated and where you’ll only get better
@Chonky Racoon: spot on I know it’s hard to say no to these huge clubs but better for your future if you went to a smaller club and got plenty of game time clubs like Dortmund or Lyon who have history of bringing players throught
There not holding back anyway
Every country has a Messi these days. Wessi was our Messi!
Is he the first Japanese man to sign for them, first Asian perhaps? Can’t think of anyone else off hand. Lá liga will be delighted either way!
@Hardly Normal: he’s signed for Castilla , it’s Real Madrid’s B team .. it’s a strategic move for Madrid , the player himself may not thrive though. A guy like Odegaard is making a name for himself in Holland but it’s unlikely he’ll ever triumph in Real Madrid . It’s surprising that he didn’t go back to Barca tbh .
@Hardly Normal: As Mr. Madrugada points out, Kubo is signing for Castilla, not Real Madrid (a tehnicality). But Real Madrid (including Castilla and Real Madrid C) have had at least two Asian players before. There was some fanfare a few years back when they signed Chinese Lin Liangming. There was also a Jordanian (Tha’er Bawab) who played for both Real and Barce’s B-Teams back in the early 00s.
@Limón Madrugada: do you think Odegaard will ever make it with Madrid or will just be sold on ??
@Philip Farrell: you hardly rattled that off the top of your head, if you did fair play. So no asain player has played for Real Madrid proper? I’d put money on it this lad will get an opportunity if he shows any bit of promise. The asain market is untapped from a Spanish point of view, interesting move.
@Andrew Tuite: sold on I reckon , he’s done well in Holland and Ajax are looking at him . He’d be useful as part of the deal for de Ligt !! But he needs to make a proper breakthrough for Madrid to see him as first team material.
Great news for la liga