Football Tribe SEA Editor
Thai National Team goalkeeper Kawin Thamsatchanan is set to join J.League outfit Consadole Sapporo on a two-year loan deal from Belgian side OH Leuven.
The Hokkaido Islanders are in the hunt for a new goalkeeper as current first choice, South Korean Gu Sung-Yun, is set to return to his homeland for military service. This move suggests that Kawin will be expected to fill in between the sticks once he returns to his top form.
Widely tipped as Southeast Asia’s best goalkeeper back during his glory days with Muangthong United, the 30-year-old has struggled since his move to Europe, with injuries and stern competition keeping him out of the Leuven squad.
This decline has unfortunately seen him lose his spot as Thailand’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper for what should’ve been the prime years of his career, with Buriram United goalkeeper Siwarak Tedsungnoen climbing to become Akira Nishino’s most trusted pair of hands between the sticks for the War Elephants.
However, a spell of regular football in the J.League should re-establish him as Thailand’s first choice. The move is also a major vote of confidence on the part of Consadole, who have currently reaped the rewards of their trust in Thai attacker Chanathip Songkrasin, who has been incredible for them since joining in 2017.
