Perth Glory is delighted to confirm that experienced Japanese defensive duo Yuto Misao and Takuya Okamoto have joined the club for the rest of the 2024/25 Isuzu UTE A-League season, subject to international clearance.
Equally comfortable operating as a left-back or centre-back, Misao brings a wealth of experience having made more than 300 appearances in Japan’s top two divisions, along with the Emperor’s Cup and AFC Champions League.
A former Tokyo Verdy youth player, he lists Kashima Antlers and Shona Bellmare among his previous clubs.
Most recently on the books of J-League One side Kyoto Sanga, the 33-year-old featured 18 times in all competitions last season, scoring against Kashiwa Reysol in Round 20.
The similarly-experienced Okamoto began his career with Urawa Red Diamonds and won caps for Japan at Under-17, 19 and 23 level while enjoying successful loan spells with both V-Varen Nagasaki and Shonan Bellmare.
The robust defender, who can be deployed as a centre-back, full-back or wing-back, then completed a permanent move to Shonan Bellmare in 2019 and subsequently took his number of J1 appearances past the 170-mark.
Now 32, he played 13 times in all competitions last term.
Glory Football Director Stan Lazaridis believes that Misao and Okamoto will significantly strengthen the club’s defensive stocks.
“Between them, Yuto and Takuya have played more than 600 times at a very high level in Japan and that experience will be of huge benefit to the largely young squad we currently have,” he said.
“Both players are technically very sound and retain the ball extremely well, while their proven versatility allows us the option of playing them in a number of different positions.
“We’ve brought them on board now because we really want the remainder of the season to mean something and should they prove themselves, as we expect them to, we will open discussions around extending their time with the club.”
#ONEGlory
