Shortly after Postecoglou was unveiled as Neil Lennon’s successor Two J League stars have now joined a new agency. The agency specializes in players getting baseball players to move out of Japan but has recently expanded into the football market. In Japan, a footballer must have an agent to move abroad.
24-year-old winger Kaoru Mitoma along with 22-year-old defensive midfielder Ao Tanaka are currently with their national teams as preparations are underway for this year’s Olympics which set to be held in Japan.
Kaoru Mitoma predominantly plays on the left-hand side but can switch to the opposite wing if required. Playing 20 times in the Japanese top flight this season, he has netted 8 goals and assisted his teammates on 3 occasions. Yet to make an appearance for Japan, he has played 4 times at an Under-23 level, scoring 2 goals and 7 times at an under 21 level scoring a further 2 goals. Mitoma has never played under Postecoglou. With less than a year left on his contract his club, Kawasaki Frontale may want to sell now, rather than later.
Ao Tanaka is the youngest of the 2. Playing in midfield, he can play deep or further up if need be. In 20 games for his side this season, Tanaka has. got on the score sheet once while assisting 4 times. Unlike Mitoma, Tanaka has played for the japan senior side twice. With his contract running out in January of 2022 Celtic will push for a cut price.
Although no contact has been made from Celtic’s side, Postecoglou may look to bring these players in. In a league not so publicized within Europe, it is unlikely many other clubs will have these two highly-rated players in their targets for this summer.
