Sato becomes first Japanese player in Valencia CF first team history

Signing for Valencia CF in the summer transfer window, Ryunosuke Sato is the first player from Japan to be registered as a first team player.

However, he is the third Japanese player to join the club, after Hiroshi Ibusuki, who arrived at VCF Mestalla during the 2013/14 season, and Wadi Suzuki, who was part of VCF Juvenil A at the VCF Academy.

Valencia CF and Japan have shared several connections throughout their history. This link dates back to a visit to the Asian country in 1979, with Mario Kempes as the team's star player. Forty-seven years later, in 2004, the team returned to Japan for their Asian tour, during which Pablo Aimar, Roberto Ayala, Rubén Baraja and David Albelda were among the most acclaimed players.

This connection has become even stronger in recent years, with Valencia CF running VCF Academies and VCF Camps in Japan for the past 15 years, and the existence of the VCF Nippon Supporters' Club.