Japan national team star Ritsu Doan has agreed to a transfer to Saudi Arabian club Al-Ittihad, sparking a backlash from fans. The Chosun Ilbo reported on September 1st that the move from Eintracht Frankfurt, for a fee around €17 million, is in its final stages.
The transfer details and financial backdrop
Doan has accepted an offer of €9 million in annual salary from Al-Ittihad. With no personal income tax in Saudi Arabia, the net financial gain is substantial. Frankfurt will incur a loss of €4 million on the player they signed from Freiburg for €21 million just last year. The German club needed transfer income this summer, and despite manager Adi Hütter's opposition to the sale, the deal is on the verge of completion.
Manager Hajime Moriyasu's mixed reaction
Japan manager Hajime Moriyasu offered a nuanced perspective on the transfer. Moriyasu stated, "I don't think it's a bad thing, as earning money is also a value for a player and being recognized as a good player is part of that evaluation." He added, however, "But whether he is truly at a world-class level, I think there's a slight difference compared to the top five European leagues." This reflects the tension between financial reward and competitive development.
The precedent in Japanese football
Doan, 28, becomes the first Japanese player to join the Saudi Pro League. This move contrasts with that of Son Heung-min, who rejected a €30 million per year offer from the same club three years ago. Many Japanese football supporters have reacted negatively, seeing it as an interruption of his prime years in Europe's major leagues. Doan started every match for Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup and is considered a key figure for the national side.
Japan's current competitive context
This transfer saga unfolds as the Samurai Blue prepare for crucial fixtures. The team currently sits 2nd in their World Cup qualifying group with 5 points from 3 games, recording 1 win and 2 draws. Their last result was a 2-1 defeat to Brazil on June 29th. The team's form over the last five matches stands at 2 wins, 2 draws, and 1 loss (LDWDW), having scored 7 goals this season while conceding 3. The next major test is a home fixture against Uruguay on September 24th. Fans can follow the latest standings and fixtures for updates.
The player's career and future challenge
Born in 1998, Doan began his professional career at Gamba Osaka before moves to Groningen and AZ Alkmaar in the Netherlands. He joined Freiburg in summer 2022 and transferred to Frankfurt last year, where he recorded 4 goals and 4 assists in the first half of the season, followed by 1 goal and 1 assist in the second. As a standard-bearer for Japanese football, his next challenge is to prove he can continue developing in Saudi Arabia and contributing to the national team. A look at the current squad and stats shows midfield creativity remains vital. Japan will test any new midfield configurations without Doan when they host Uruguay on September 24th.
