In June 2024, Southampton reached an agreement with Rento Takaoka, for him to arrive at St Mary’s this summer.
The newspaper says the 18-year-old was initially part of Valenciennes’ reserves, where he trained under Pierre Blois’ orders for over two weeks. His qualities convinced senior team manager, Stéphane Moulin, to include him in his plans.
Takaoka made his first team debut when he came off the bench LB Châteauroux. Last Friday, the Japan U20 international came off the bench to score a brace in his side’s 2-1 league win over Le Puy Foot 43 Auvergne.
Moulin has urged the Southampton loanee to “remain very humble”.
Valenciennes sports coordinator Mathieu Frison has revealed that Sport Republic felt the loan move to France would be better for the teenager’s development.
“In line with his development, they [Sport Republic] thought a stint in France, with us, would be good,” he said.
According to La Voix des Sports, Takaoka has a ‘very limited knowledge of English’ and doesn’t ‘speak a word of French’. Despite the language barrier, the sports coordinator says the Japanese has managed to win over people at Valenciennes.
“Everyone loves him,” Frison explained.
Valenciennes winger Stredair Appuah had this to say on the language barrier: “When you understand football and you’re good at it, it’s easy to play with you on the pitch.”
Appuah added: “Rento is a real warrior, a guy who gives his all. He’s very strong in front of goal, he brings depth, and he also has amazing leaps of movement for a guy his height.”
Read mpore at;https://www.sportupdates.co.uk
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