Gamba Osaka announced on 9 Augusts that Ryotaro Meshino is joining Manchester City. Both clubs reached an agreement before the transfer deadline of 17:00 on 8 August.

Meshino has already travelled to Europe for his medical. Gamba manager Tsuneyasu Miyamoto tried hard to keep the 21-year-old, but he expressed strong desire to play in Europe and the club decided to let him move. “We prioritised his feelings,” said sporting director Masanobu Matsunami.

A graduate of the Gamba youth system, Meshino was promoted to the first team in 2017. This season, the forward recorded eight goals in eight matches for Gamba U-23 in J3. He went on to score his first J1 goal against Sagan Tosu on 11 May, for a total of three goals in 12 matches.

Manchester City had previously signed Ko Itakura in January 2018. Like Itakura, who is currently out on loan at Groningen, Meshino does not meet the requirements for a work permit, so a similar temporary playing assignment at another EU nation is on the cards.

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Source: Yahoo

Image: Yahoo