Westerlo sign young Japanese striker from Gamba Osaka | OneFootball

Westerlo have announced the signing of 21-year-old striker Isa Sakamoto. The young Japanese forward joins on loan from Gamba Osaka until the end of the season. The transfer will then become permanent, with Sakamoto agreeing to a contract that will run for the next three seasons from the 2025/2026 campaign. He joins a Westerlo side that is already one of the youngest in the league.

Sakamoto has certainly come of age this season. In 43 games for Gamba Osaka he has scored 11 goals, 10 of which came in the J League. He has also been capped at both U19 and U20 level by the Japanese national team. His side finished the 2024 season in Japan in fourth place.

Westerlo are currently involved in a relegation battle. After a 1-0 defeat to Sint Truiden at the weekend they are sitting just inside of the bottom four with 23 points from 21 games. Their last win came eight games ago at the end of November.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson