Perth Glory have continued their busy start to the January transfer window with the recruitment of veteran Japanese defenders Yuto Misao and Takuya Okamoto.
Misao, 33, and Okamoto, 32, have signed for the remainder of the 2024-25 Isuzu UTE A-League season, subject to international clearance, and together bring much-needed experience to a youthful Perth squad.
The two defenders joined Perth on the first day of the January transfer window, following the signing of A-Leagues champion Lachie Wales on Thursday morning.
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Both Misao and Okamoto are versatile defenders who can be used at centre-back or full-back; Glory Football Director Stan Lazaridis hopes the two signings will add technical ability and defensive assuredness to the playing group through their respective short-term deals, with the club open to extending the contracts of both players at the end of the 2024-25 campaign.
“Between them, Yuto and Takuya have played more than 600 times at a very high level in Japan and that experience will be of huge benefit to the largely young squad we currently have,” Lazaridis said.
“Both players are technically very sound and retain the ball extremely well, while their proven versatility allows us the option of playing them in a number of different positions.
“We’ve brought them on board now because we really want the remainder of the season to mean something and should they prove themselves, as we expect them to, we will open discussions around extending their time with the club.”
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Misao, 33, joins after a recent stint in the Japanese top flight at J1 League outfit Kyoto Sanga, where he made 18 appearances in all competitions last season.
Misao has accumulated more than 300 appearances in Japan’s top two divisions in a career highlighted by an AFC Champions League and Japanese Emperor’s Cup title secured with Kashima Antlers in 2017-18.
Misao, who can be deployed as a left-back or centre-back, also won the J2 League title with Shonan Bellmare in 2013-14, where he played almost 70 games alongside current Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo.
YOUR CLUB’S INS/OUTS: Isuzu UTE A-League 2024-25 mid-season Transfer Centre
TRANSFER WINDOW: Everything you need to know about the Isuzu UTE A-League January transfer window open
During Misao’s time at Shonan Bellmare, he played alongside his new Glory teammate Okamoto, who joined Shonan on loan in 2016 before a permanent move to the club in 2019.
The 32-year-old represented Japan internationally at Under-17, Under-19 and Under-23 level and has made more than 170 J1 League appearances throughout his career.
Okamoto played alongside current Western United star Hiroshi Ibusuki at Shonan Bellmare between 2019 and 2020.
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