Ao Tanaka’s controversial winner against Spain at 2022 World Cup with Leeds move imminent 

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Leeds United are set to complete their seventh summer signing in the form of midfielder Ao Tanaka from German side Fortuna Dusseldorf, and fans may remember his name from the 2022 World Cup.

Leeds have been keen on signing a new midfielder in the last few weeks. A £13m bid was made for Gustavo Hamer, but Sheffield United replied by requesting an £18m fee for Brazil-born Hamer to leave.

There was also interest in Bournemouth’s Philip Billing but Billing has decided he does not want to drop a division to the Championship. It has seen Leeds turn to Japan star Tanaka, with the midfielder flying in.

A four-year deal is on the table for Tanaka with a fee of £3.4m agreed. His move is expected to be done by the close of play on Thursday ahead of deadline day, a player that caught the eye in Qatar in 2022.

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Tanaka’s controversial winner against Spain for Japan in 2022

The 25-year-old midfielder is renowned for his lung-busting stamina, his eye for goal from deep and most notably, having an impact in both boxes. A three-time Japan champion with Kawasaki Frontale.

But his best form has come for Japan, scoring eight goals in 27 caps. One of those goals came when Japan beat Spain in Qatar at the 2022 World Cup, one of the tournament’s most-controversial goals.

Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma squared the ball to Tanaka to bundle the winner home and win 2-1, but the goal was initially disallowed with the linesman believing the ball had crossed the byline, which VAR overturned.

Tanaka also scored goal for Japan in huge 4-1 win over Germany

At the start of last season, Tanaka came on against Germany for the last 16 minutes as Japan won 4-1 at the Volkswagen Arena in Wolfsburg. He flicked in a cross from Takefusa Kubo to score Japan’s fourth.

Tanaka has also played a key part of Japan’s 2026 World Cup qualification campaign. A goal against Thailand in a 5-0 win, and the winner against North Korea in March, netting in the second minute.

While he might have only played in Japan or Germany’s second-tier at club level, Tanaka has sparkled for his National Team. Leeds are getting a bargain in Tanaka at just £3.4m, with Tanaka easily worth more.