Scouting
Introduction
The path from Japan to Europe isn’t just open—it’s thriving. In recent years, we’ve seen names like Mitoma, Hatate, Furuhashi, Maeda, Itakura, Doan, and Tanaka amongst many others transition from the J1 League to becoming key figures in top European squads.
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It’s not an accident. European clubs are paying attention, building partnerships (like Ajax and Gamba Osaka) and utilizing hubs like STVV in the Jupiler Pro League—which currently boasts seven Japanese players—to bridge the gap.
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Why the sudden boom? It’s a mix of professional preparation and rising league standards. Agents are better at prepping players for cultural transitions, and the J1 League itself has evolved. The technical baseline has always been high, but thanks to the influence of foreign icons like Iniesta, the tactical and physical levels have caught up. Japanese players are arriving in Europe stronger, sharper, and ready to start.
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What to expect here: This section is dedicated to scouting the next wave. I’m a J1 League obsessive with an analytical background. I combine hard data with the "eye test"—watching hours of footage to identify the players with the highest ceiling for European success.
Sorare Tactics Discord
Click above for the J1 League Sorare Discord channel, you can keep up to date with the latest info and get other peoples opinion in the community!