Melbourne City has reinforced their A-League Men (ALM) attack with the addition of 28-year-old Japanese attacker Tsubasa Endoh, who arrives in Casey on a six-month contract.
Endoh becomes the second arrival at the defending ALM Champions in the January window, former Arsenal attacker Carl Jenkinson landing at the club a fortnight ago after securing a loan move from Nottingham Forest in search of regular game time and new experiences abroad.
City frequently hit by international call-ups and Italian signing Manuel Pucciarelli seemingly out of favour at the club, 28-year-old Endoh will seek to boost coach Patrick Kisnorbo’s side’s push to turn the draws they have frequently been forced to settle for thus far in 2021-22 into wins, as well as provide an important addition for their first-ever Asian Champions League (ACL) campaign.
After COVID dashed their hopes of a maiden continental tilt in 2021, City has been drawn in Group G of this year’s ACL, set to face off against Thai side BG Pathum, Korean club Jeonnam Dragons, and Philippine outfit United City in April.
“Endoh is a player with a lot of experience with one of the top teams in the MLS and a proven winner as a starting player,” said City director of football Michael Petrillo.
“He is very good technically, has an attacking mindset and can play in a few different positions which gives us options as we head into a hectic part of the season, with the added bonus of being an Asian player for the Champions League campaign in April.”
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A former Japanese youth international, Endoh, 28, was a part of the Football Association Academy hit by the Fukushima earthquake in 2011, forcing their relocation for his final year in the program.
“The nuclear stuff, the radiation, it’s invisible,” Endoh told MLSSoccer.com in 2016, recalling needing to evacuate after the Fukushima I Nuclear Power Plant went into meltdown. “It was all kind of coming in, so we had to move down south.”
Having already planned to play in the US, he would head stateside the next year and put his trust in the US collegiate system to hone his development; spending four years in the NCAA with the Maryland Terrapins.
After impressing at the 2016 MLS Combine — a four-day showcase in which eligible players are put through their paces in front of MLS scouts, coaches and executives — he was drafted ninth overall by Toronto FC in the 2016 MLS SuperDraft — a draft in which current Leeds United player Jack Harrison went number one overall.
Initially released at the end of his two-year Rookie Deal with Toronto, he unsuccessfully trialled in Europe before returning to Canada to sign with his former club’s reserve side, with his performances there eventually earning him another MLS contract by Lake Ontario.
He would go on to start in the club’s 2019 MLS Cup loss to Socceroo Brad Smith and the Seattle Sounders, before eventually becoming surplus to requirements at the Reds after the signing of Italian international Lorenzo Insigne.
“I’ve always wanted to come to Australia and have heard some great things about Melbourne, so I’m very excited to be joining the current Champions of the A-League,” said Endoh.
“I’m looking forward to the attacking style of play at Melbourne City and I’m excited to meet the fans.”
Endoh will wear the 14 shirt at City.
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Header Image Credit: Melbourne City
JDL MEDIA 