Who is Daiki Hashioka: Luton Town's new Japanese star?

Daiki Hashioka was unveiled as a Luton player in their 4-0 win over Brighton

For a price that was not disclosed, Belgian team Sint-Truiden have lost their defender Daiki Hashioka to Luton Town in the English Premier League, the two teams confirmed on Tuesday.

Primarily a right-back, the 24-year-old signed Sint-Truiden from Urawa Reds in 2021 and competed in the Olympics in Tokyo. despite the fact that Hashioka has 7 senior appearances for Japan, he was left out of the Samurai Blue team that is competing in the Asian Cup in Qatar.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play in the Premier League,” Hashioka said in a statement from Luton. “It’s physically and technically a top league and very intense, so I know it’s going to be difficult but I’ll give my all for the team.”

“My strengths are heading, one-versus-one situations and I like to do a lot of running. I’ve only scored twice this season, but I want to score more. I can’t wait to celebrate in front of the Luton supporters.”

“Hashi is a versatile defender who can play anywhere along the backline and, having met him I know he’s going to fit into the group really, really well,” Luton manager Rob Edwards said.

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Emergence of Daiki Hashioka

2017 Daiki Hashioka signed with Urawa Reds, a J1 League team. He made his J.League Cup bow on August 30 against Cerezo Osaka. Hashioka signed a loan with Sint-Truiden on January 31, 2021, for the balance of the 2020–21 campaign.

Luton Town acquired Hashioka on January 30, 2024. He is the nephew of Yuki Hashioka, a long-distance jump athlete, and the younger brother of Kazuki Hashioka, a fellow football player.

Hashioka enters England’s top flight alongside Takehiro Tomiyasu of Arsenal, Kaoru Mitoma of Brighton, and Wataru Endo of Liverpool, the Japanese contingent.

During Tuesday’s 4-0 victory over Brighton, Luton revealed their new No. 27 to the home crowd, helping the promoted team climb out of the relegation zone and into 17th position.

At the Asian Cup, Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu selected Yukinari Sugawara of AZ Alkmaar and Seiya Maikuma of Cerezo Osaka as his two right-backs.

Additionally, Soichiro Kozuki, an attacker, has signed a loan deal to play for Polish team Gornik Zabrze, according to German second-tier team Schalke. At Zabrze, the 23-year-old will line up as an accomplice of Lukas Podolski, a former attacker for Vissel Kobe and winner of the World Cup for Germany.

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