First Team07 July 2026

Ryunosuke Sato, the first Japanese player in the history of Valencia CF's first team

The third Japanese player to wear the jersey of the Valencian club after Hiroshi Ibusuki and Wadi Suzuki.

El futbolista tokiota ya es jugador del Valencia CF, convirtiéndose así en el primer futbolista japonés en vestir la camiseta del primer equipo valencianista en su historia.

Ryunosuke Sato (October 16, 2006) is the third Japanese player to join the Club after Hiroshi Ibusuki, who joined VCF Mestalla during the 2013/14 season, and Wadi Suzuki, who was part of VCF Juvenil A at the VCF Academy.

Valencia CF and Japan have shared several connections throughout their history. This link dates back to our team's visit to Japan in 1979, with Kempes as the main figure. Forty-seven years later, in 2004, the team returned to Japan for their Asian tour, during which Aimar, Ayala, Baraja and Albelda were among the most acclaimed players.

This connection has become even stronger in recent years, with Valencia CF having VCF Academies and VCF Camps in Japan for the past 15 years, as well as the existence of the VCF Nippon Supporters' Club.

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