Ryunosuke Sato

ANALYSIS
Sato became the youngest player in FC Tokyo's history to debut for the first team at age 16 in 2023, and registered six goals and one assist in 19 official appearances back at the club last season following a loan spell at Fagiano Okayama, where he won the J1 League Young Player of the Year award. He has been a key figure for Japan's youth national teams, helping the country win the AFC U23 Asian Cup as the tournament's MVP and top scorer with four goals, and became the youngest player in Japan's history to appear in a World Cup qualifying match following his senior debut last year. Comfortable across multiple midfield positions with his pace, technical quality and ability in tight spaces, Sato joins Valencia as a versatile long term addition to the midfield.