Leeds United are reportedly closing in on the signing of Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf and we spoke to Dan Orlowitz, an expert in all things Japan football, about the midfielder.
The 25-year-old is already said to be at Thorp Arch having jetting in from Germany ahead of signing a four-year deal, with Leeds set to pay Dusseldorf a fee of £3.4m to sign the Japan star until June 2028.
Tanaka is likely to be undergoing a medical ahead of his move to Leeds, which sees The Whites finally bring in another midfielder after bids had been rejected for duo Dejan Ljubicic and Gustavo Hamer.
A 27-time Japan star, Tanaka has won three league titles in Japan before his move to Europe. He is yet to exceed the second tier of German football but now, Tanaka has the chance to shine in England at Leeds.
Dan Orlowitz shares what Leeds fans can expect from Tanaka
Leeds United News spoke to Japan football expert Dan Orlowitz, once of the Japan Times, on what kind of player Tanaka is and why it is a “surprise” that it has taken this long for Tanaka to earn a bigger move.
“A box-to-box central midfielder, very good at stifling the opposing attack and creating possession for his team, also strong on the attack himself. Someone who can frustrate defenders and contribute in attack.
“Even, able to score a couple bangers himself on occasion. He’s been really key for Dusseldorf since joining in 2021, to be honest it’s somewhat of a surprise it’s taken him this long to find a step up.
“Definitely a player who’s too good for 2.Bundesliga, and he was one of the surprise omissions of the Asian Cup earlier this year which I’m sure fueled a desire for a move,” Orlowitz told Leeds United News.
Orlowitz on whether Tanaka can make the step up at Leeds
While Leeds are still only in the Championship, it is a step up from the second tier of German football which was proven in Leeds’ pre-season wins over Hannover and Schalke, so Tanaka has plenty to do.
But Orlowitz told us that at just £3.4m, Tanaka is a bargain for Leeds and he is confident the midfielder can shine in a Leeds shirt but also cope with the physicality of the Championship during 2024-25.
“It’s a very good deal at £3.4m. I think he’s ready, he’s got the maturity and the physicality for it. Certainly at a club like Leeds there will be pressure on him from the fans and all that, but they can be confident.
“Unlike other EFL teams who have signed younger players out of Japan, Leeds are getting someone who’s performed at a high level not only for Japan but also in Europe. Natural move for Tanaka, well deserved.”
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