Scottish Premiership outfit Motherwell are preparing themselves to welcome their newest signing, young Japanese attacking midfielder Riku Danzaki, with manager Steven Hammell heaping praise upon the Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo player’s eagerness to join the Steelmen.
22-year old Riku has been a Consadole player throughout his five-year career, joining the Northerners in 2019 after graduating from his high school. The attacking midfielder only made three appearances for Consadole, though, as Riku spent most of his career out on loan.
Initially Riku spent the 2020/21 season on loan at A-League Men giants Brisbane Roar, making 26 league appearances and scoring nine times. A brief spell at J.League 2 side JEF United Chiba then ensued in 2021, where Riku only played four times, before the attacking midfielder made his return to the Roar in the 2022 campaign. Once again Riku proved himself to be vital for Brisbane’s campaign, playing 17 times for the Queensland-based side.
Riku’s performances for the Roar attracted the interest of Motherwell, with the 20-year old potentially representing the Steelmen this Saturday in their Scottish Premiership match against St. Mirren.
“Hopefully we’ll get it done as soon as possible,” said Hammell, as quoted from BBC Sport, “As soon as we came in he was a player we identified. He’s been playing in Australia in a league where there’s a lot of familiar faces and coaches we could go to for character references. He fits into the model we’re trying to do. We don’t want to flood the place with recruitment, especially from overseas, but he fits into the profile of player we want but also the type of character he is.”
“He’s been desperate to come here. I’ve done numerous calls with him online, zoom calls, WhatsApp calls, we’ve been putting a lot of work into it. His attitude and determination to get here is number one,” Hammell continued, “I think the fans will enjoy seeing him when the time comes.”
Should the deal goes through, Riku is set to become Motherwell’s fourth mid-season signing, after former Gillingham striker Mikael Mandron, former Sligo Rovers defender Shane Blaney, and the loan signing of midfielder Olly Crankshaw from Stockport County.