Hannover 96 have announced the signing of Japanese international Hotaru Yamaguchi from Cerezo Osaka. The 25-year-old midfielder signed a "long-term contract", as Lower Saxony side wrote.
Along with Hiroki Sakai and Hiroshi Kiytoake, Yamaguchi is now the third Japanese player at the relegation-threatened club.
Yamaguchi should stabilise midfield
For the midfielder, who played for Osaka through the youth teams, it is a big step forward for his career to move to the Bundesliga. In Osaka, where Shinji Kagawa, Takashi Inui, Cacau, Gojko Kacar and his new teammate Hiroshi Kiyotake also played, he grew up to become a Japanese international and played for his country against the Ivory Coast, Greece and Colombia at the World Cup 2014 in Brazil.
Hannover 96 signed the player to gain more stability in midfield, because one of Hannover's biggest problems this season is defending. Overall, in 17 matches in the Hinrunde, the club from the North conceded 29 goals and is currently in 17th position - which would mean that they would be relegated to the 2. Bundesliga at the end of season if they can't halt the slide.
The player looks forward to his new challenge
At Hannover 96, he will face Salif Sané and Manuel Schmiedebach for a spot in midfield, but the Japanese can also play as a right midfielder, where he would compete with Kenan Karaman. Hannover are also searching a new coach after Michael Frontzeck resigned, so the new signing has a good chance to show the new coach his qualities and become a starting player for the side.
Sporting director Martin Bader thinks that his new signing can raise the competitive battle for places at the club and the 47-year-old added that they scouted Yamaguchi for a long time and are happy that they were finally able to sign him. The player himself said to that, "I want to play as soon as possible and help the team." Furthermore, he is looking forward to playing with Hiroshi Kiyotake in the same team.
To get Hannover out of the relegation battle, Bader will sign some more players. Simon Terodde, who's allegedly in great demand, from 2. Bundesliga side VfL Bochum, is one of the targets. It is unlikely, though, given that Bochum do not have the same financial pressures they had during the summer.