Yutaro Oda won’t be the last player Hearts sign from Japan if things go well.
The former Vissel Kobe forward arrived at Tynecastle on Tuesday to pen a three-and-a-half year deal with the Jambos. After signing Ryotaro Meshino on loan from Manchester City immediately after his switch from Gamba Osaka back in 2019, the capital club have looked to the Far East for a new recruit once again, this time on a long term contract.
Having enjoyed success signing players from Australia, Robbie Neilson admits that Japan is a market they’ll look to plunder further if all goes well with their latest addition, citing affordability and a real desire to make it in Europe as key factors in bringing in new faces from that part of the world. “I think people are more aware of it now, but it’s similar to the Australian market,” said Neilson. “We’ve brought a few players in from there.
