'Looking forward to seeing what he can do' - Yu Hirakawa makes history as he joins Bristol City

Yu Hirakawa has become Bristol City’s second signing of the summer and the club’s first ever Japanese player.

Announced at 8am, 4pm in Japan, as a departure from their usual early evening confirmations, Hirakawa has joined from surprise J-League pacesetters Machida Zelvia, initially on loan with a view to a permanent. The 23-year-old’s contract is expiring in January and Bristol Live understands, providing he acquits himself adequately over the next five months, he will become a full-time City player.

Hirakawa, pictured in the new away kit for 2024/25 and wearing No7, underwent a medical on Monday at the High Performance Centre and is scheduled to fly out to Portugal to spend some time with his new teammates before he joins up with Japan’s Olympic squad for the Paris Games. The tournament kicks off on July 24 with the gold medal match to take place on August 9.

“We’re really pleased to see Yu become a Bristol City player," said technical director Brian Tinnion. "It’s taken a bit of time to get the right deal sorted, and we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in a City shirt. I’d also like to thank Machida Zelvia for their professionalism and integrity in concluding the deal.”

A quick and dynamic winger, capable of playing on the left or right, Hirakawa has risen up the standings with Machida over the last three years having achieved promotion to the top flight for the first time in their history in 2023. Hirakawa has been a key player within that run, making 61 appearances and scoring 11 games over his time at the GION Stadium.

Capped at Under-23 level by Japan, Hirakawa represents City’s widening scope in identifying players as the Robins search for value in the transfer market.

Striker Fally Mayulu has already signed from Rapid Vienna, while the Robins have been interested in Malian forwards Moussa Sylla and Lassine Sinayoko from French second division clubs Caen and Auxerre (now promoted to Ligue 1), and frontman Sandro Kulenovic at Dinamo Zagreb, only to be either priced out or rejected.

City remain determined to add another striker and playmaker in this window with hope that a deal to bring Scott Twine back to BS3 can be concluded. Reports linking the Robins with emerging Exeter City forward Mellenic Alli are not thought to be accurate as the 24-year-old isn’t on the Robins radar.

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