More expensive than Arrhov
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After offensive talent Love Arrhov (17), Eintracht Frankfurt’s second winter signing also comes from Sweden. On Thursday, the Hessians announced the signing of defense jewel Keita Kosugi (19). The Japanese junior international joins SGE from Djurgårdens IF.
The 1.72 meter tall left-back moved from Shonan Bellmare’s youth team to Stockholm in March 2024, shortly after his 18th birthday. After five months of getting used to it, Kosugi established himself as a regular at Djurgården, contributing five goals and seven assists in 62 games. Last season he reached the semi-finals of the Conference League with the Swedes, where they were defeated by eventual winners Chelsea FC.
“With Keita Kosugi, we have signed a young left-back who, in addition to technically good ball handling, also has a high willingness to run and work. He has already proven his qualities as a regular player in both the Swedish league and the European Cup and has great development potential,” said sports director Timmo Hardung.
In 2023, Kosugi captained Japan’s U17s to the title at the Asian Cup, and the team made it to the round of 16 at the subsequent U17 World Cup. The U20 World Cup ended there this fall. In Frankfurt, Kosugi will meet compatriot Ritsu Doan (27).
“Keita is a very good football player, but also an incredible character and person. He was a role model and a good teammate,” said Djurgården’s sports director Bosse Andersson, paying tribute to the Japanese, who he said was the second most expensive sale in the club’s history. At the top is Lucas Bergvall (19), who moved to Tottenham for 20 million euros last summer. Kosugi would place ahead of Samuel Dahl (22), who went to AS Roma in the summer of 2024 for 5.7 million euros including the resale share, and would therefore be more expensive than Arrhov, who comes to Frankfurt from IF Brommapojkarna for 4.6 million euros.
