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Japanese wonderkid Ritsu Doan joins FC Groningen

Eredivisie outfit FC Groningen have completed the signing of 19-year-old midfielder Ritsu Doan. The deal was announced by his former club Gamba Osaka on their official Twitter account.

Doan played 13 league games for Gamba Osaka in the last three seasons, scoring 3 goals. He has also represented Japan at youth levels, helping the Young Blue Samurai to their first AFC U-19 Championship title in 2016.

It was reported that Groningen’s scouts were impressed with his performances at the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup, where he scored three goals to help Japan reach the round of 16.

According to reports in the Netherlands, traditional powerhouses PSV Eindhoven and Ajax have also scouted Doan for some time, but it was Groningen who made the best offer for the 19-year-old midfielder.