Stoke Metropolis are near finishing the signing of Japanese midfielder Tatsuki Seko from J1 League membership Kawasaki Frontale.

Japanese outlet Sponichi Annex have claimed that Seko has left Frontale’s squad within the technique of his transfer to the Potters following the announcement on X which added a fellow teammate can be leaving with him.

The 26-year-old J League star is about to bolster Steven Schumacher’s midfield this summer season, including to a packed squad.

Schumacher can be including his eighth signing this summer season following the arrival of Bosun Lawal from Celtic on Sunday with potential additions of Luke Cundle and Andrew Moran to observe.

Stoke set to finish the switch of Tatsuki Seko

Seko is a right-footed pure defensive midfielder who can even play with no consideration again. He presses effectively and has a bodily model of play, which might make him match for Schumacher’s Potters.

Kawasaki gained the Japanese Cup 2023 and the Japanese Tremendous Cup in 2024, the place Seko performed a key position of their triumphs.

He moved to Kawasaki in 2022 from Yokohama FC, the place he has since made 93 appearances for the Japanese outfit and got here up by means of the Meiji College staff.

Seko has a wealth of expertise underneath his belt already and has had attacking enter enjoying in Japan, one thing that Schumacher may be experimenting with as a defensive midfielder.

Seko is deemed a extra defensive possibility, so he might want to work onerous to supply competitors for Josh Laurent and Wouter Burger, who’re each principal stays on this Stoke facet.

The Potters’ potential want for Seko

Schumacher has nearly improved each level of his squad, however appears to be like to strengthen his midfield choices because of Ben Pearson’s damage, who’s out for the beginning of the season because of present process hamstring surgical procedure.

Schumacher mentioned it was “irritating” for his facet with Pearson discovering his ft since becoming a member of within the January 2023 switch window from Bournemouth.

Regardless of rumours linking Stoke with each Moran and Cundle, Schumacher is wanting so as to add one other midfielder to his ranks.

After an important begin to the season with two wins out of two, after the opening day victory at Coventry and final night time’s 2-0 victory towards Carlisle United, the onerous work is going on each on and off the pitch.

A younger Stoke Metropolis facet shone vivid because of objectives from 17-year-old Freddie Anderson and 18-year-old Emre Tezgel, Schumacher may very well be Seko so as to add a extra senior member.

Japan within the EFL

Seko has earned his plaudits in Japan and now seeks a brand new problem on the Bet365 Stadium.

A recurring issue now could be seeing Japanese footballers embracing the concept of shifting to the EFL.

Seko would be the latest addition of seven different gamers within the EFL who’ve taken the subsequent step of their profession in England.

Birmingham duo Ayumu Yokoyama and Koji Miyoshi, Yuki Ohashi at Blackburn Rovers, Daiki Hashioka enjoying for Luton, Yu Hirakawa at Ashton Gate with Bristol Metropolis and Koki Saito, who’s at present at Queens Park Rangers.

Stoke can be eager to finish the switch earlier than their subsequent recreation at Watford this Saturday.