Daisuke Yokota: Who is Hannover's Japanese winger?
Daisuke Yokota has signed a permanent deal with Hannover after a successful loan spell at the Bundesliga 2 club from Gent. Read on for more on the Japanese winger...
Data correct as of 16 June 2026
Age: 26 (born 15 June 2000)
Club: Hannover
Position: Right winger/ centeal midfielder
Country: Japan (uncapped)
Key stats
Yokota registered five goals and four assists in 30 Bundesliga 2 appearances as Hannover narrowly missed out on promotion in 2025/26. The 5'6" winger has also featured in Germany's second tier with Kaiserslautern, following spells in Belgium, Latvia and Poland. He was part of Valmiera's 2022 title-winning side, contributing eight goals and 10 assists as the Latvian club secured their first top-flight championship.
Plays a bit like: Takefusa Kubo
A left-footed inverted winger who is more dribbler and creative spark than pure goalscorer, Yokota's style bears similarities to Takefusa Kubo, the diminutive Real Sociedad playmaker once dubbed the "Japanese Messi".
Did you know?
Curiously, Tokyo-born Yokota has yet to play senior club football in his native Japan. He left Kawasaki Frontale's U18 side for Europe as a teenager, initially turning out for FSV Frankfurt's U19s and the Jena reserves.
What they're saying
"Daisuke had a strong first season and scored some crucial goals for the team. That's why it was clear to us very early on that we wanted to exercise the option to sign him to a permanent contract. We're thrilled to have secured a player of such high calibre." - Hannover sporting director Ralf Becker
"He's a small guy, but very quick. He's good on the ball, has good vision and can play in several positions, and is a very intelligent player." - former Gent head coach Hein Vanhaezebrouck
