Eintracht Frankfurt sign teenage Japanese left-back Keita Kosugi

Eintracht Frankfurt have completed the signing of 19-year-old Japanese left-back Keita Kosugi from Swedish club Djurgårdens.

Kosugi, who will officially join the Eagles on 1 January, came through the youth ranks of boyhood club Shonan Bellmare before joining Djurgårdens in March 2024.

He made 62 appearances for the Stockholm-based outfit in all competiitons, playing a key role in their run to the UEFA Conference League semi-finals last season.

“In Keita Kosugi, we’re signing a young left-back who not only has good technical ability on the ball but also covers a lot of ground and has a high work rate,” said Eintracht’s sporting director Timmo Hardung.

“He’s already demonstrated his qualities as a regular starter in the Swedish league and in European competition, and he has great potential for development.”

After captaining Japan to glory at the AFC U-17 Asian Cup in 2023, Kosugi played every minute of the young Samurai Blues’ four matches at the 2023 FIFA U-17 World Cup, helping them reach the last 16 of the competition.

Kosugi (r.) started all four of Japan's games at the FIFA U-20 World Cup earlier this year. - IMAGO/JONNATHAN OYARZUN/PHOTOSPORT

The teenager also started all four of Japan’s games at this year’s FIFA U-20 World Cup, where his team also reached the last 16 after comfortably winning their group.

He has also represented his country at Under-19 and Under-23 level, making his debut for the latter in September this year.

Kosugi joins an impressive list of Japanese players to have represented Frankfurt in the Bundesliga, which includes Makoto Hasebe, Daichi Kamada and current Eagles star Ritsu Dōan.

About the clubs

Eintracht Frankfurt

Deutsche Bank Park