Brighton & Hove Albion have signed Japan international winger Kaoru Mitoma from Kawasaki Frontale in his home country.
The 24-year-old has agreed a four-year contract and will spend the 2021/22 season on loan with top-flight Belgian side Royal Union Saint-Gilloise.
Mitoma scored 30 times in 64 appearances for Kawasaki in all competitions, and has just represented the Japan team who finished fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
A sign of things to come! ⚡️
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 10, 2021
🔥 @Kaoru_Mitoma x @Frontale_Staff 🎥pic.twitter.com/2ATdJuzY3s
He told the club's official website: "The important thing is I want to improve my physicality and show that I can fight through the whole season. I want to contribute to the Brighton team after my time in Belgium.
“All football fans in Japan are aware of the Premier League and how high the level is.
"Shinji Kagawa being a part of Manchester United was a big thing in Japan. I hope to have as much success as my fellow Japanese predecessors in the Premier League or other European leagues. I want to turn people’s attention to players in Japan."