Eintracht Frankfurt Secure Record-Breaking Move for Ritsu Doan

Eintracht Frankfurt have agreed on a deal with SC Freiburg to sign Japanese international Ritsu Doan. This is the biggest transfer ever for a current Japanese national team player.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Frankfurt will pay Freiburg an initial €21 million fee for Doan, with an additional €1 million potentially being paid in bonuses. Doan, who is set to complete a medical and sign a contract with Frankfurt until 2030, will see Freiburg retain a sell-on clause. He will move to what will be his third Bundesliga club, having turned out for Freiburg and Arminia Bielefeld previously. Last season, Doan made 36 appearances for Freiburg across all competitions, scoring 10 goals and providing 9 assists.

DOAN REPLACING ADLI AT FRANKFURT

This transfer is the most expensive for a player currently representing the Japan national team and ranks third in Japan’s history. Doan, who has 10 goals in 57 appearances for Japan, has been a frequent goalscorer for his club in the Bundesliga. While Freiburg finished 5th in the Bundesliga last season and qualifying for the Europa League group stage, and Frankfurt who finished 3rd will be playing in the Champions League. Frankfurt needed a replacement for Etikite who moved to Liverpool, and will hope that Doan can instantly reinforce their attack. Earlier, Frankfurt were linked with the signing of Mislav Orsic from Southampton.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR DOAN AND FRANKFURT?

Frankfurt will aim to boost their frontline strength ahead of a challenging campaign where they will compete both in the Bundesliga and Champions League. Frankfurt will begin their Bundesliga season against Werder Bremen, who finished 8th in the league last year, with expectations of a top-five finish from them. Last season, they finished 22 points behind league winners Bayern Munich. The 24-year-old winger, who could make his debut in the Bundesliga season opener, is expected to be an importaan tplayer for the team as they look to move deep into European competitions this season. While he leaves Freiburg, the club have shown interest in Ko Itakura from Borussia Monchengladbach. Freiburg, who begin their campaign against Augsburg in the Bundesliga, would hope to maintain their European qualification status last season and so could move to the market to sign a replacement for Doan if required.