Auckland FC sign Japan World Cup player Hiroki Sakai as first import

Thursday, 25 July 2024

Auckland FC sign Japan international Hiroki Sakai.

The 34-year-old arrives in New Zealand after a four-year spell at Urawa Red Diamonds.

Sakai previously played in France and Germany.

Auckland FC have made a splash with their first visa signing, landing a Japanese international who has represented his country at three FIFA World Cups.

The A-League Men newcomers have confirmed the addition of classy 34-year-old defender Hiroki Sakai following his recent exit from J.League giants Urawa Red Diamonds.

The versatile footballer has been capped 75 times by Japan and served as club captain when Urawa Red Diamonds won the Asian Champions League in 2022.

Auckland coach Steve Corica said he was thrilled to make Sakai his 17th signing.

Although he has primarily played as a right back throughout his career, Corica said Sakai had the versatility to cover every position in his back line.

Auckland have two other right backs on their roster: All White Callan Elliot and Australian Scott Galloway.

“Hiroki is a highly regarded, extremely hard-working and technically gifted player who covers an unbelievable amount of ground. Tactically he is also a very well-disciplined player,” Corica said.

“He is versatile enough to play in all defensive positions. It’s a real strength to have his experience, speed and dominance to cover across the back four.”

As far as A-League signings go, it’s right up there.

Before returning to Japan in 2021, Sakai had spent a decade playing at the highest levels across Europe.

He made 101 appearances for Hannover in Germany’s Bundesliga and played 185 times for Marseille in France’s Ligue 1, helping them reach the Europa League final in 2018.

Sakai’s last appearance for Japan came as a substitute in the round of 16 stage of the 2022 World Cup.

He was also part of Japan’s World Cup squads in 2014 and 2018, and selected as an overage player for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

After four years with Urawa Red Diamonds, Sakai said he felt ready for a new challenge.

“I’ve heard Auckland is an amazing city to live in and I have always wanted to play in the A-League,” Sakai said.

“I had made the choice to pursue new goals and challenges so when this opportunity came up, it was a natural career progression for me, and the right move for my young family.”

Meanwhile, Auckland used Sakai’s signing announcement to confirm Anchor as their front of shirt sponsor for the inaugural season in the A-League Men.

Auckland FC confirmed signings

Goalkeepers: Michael Woud.

Defenders: Callan Elliot, Dan Hall, Hiroki Sakai, Tommy Smith, Francis de Vries.

Midfielders: Jake Brimmer, Adama Coulibaly, Cam Howieson, Finn McKenlay, Oliver Middleton, Luis Toomey.

Forwards: Jonty Bidois, Joey Champness, Liam Gillion, Max Mata, Jesse Randall.