Yokohama FC forward Koki Saito's move to the Belgian second-tier at the end of the J. League season, could, depending on his future success, dramatically alter the market for young Japanese talent.
The 19-year-old, who has three goals in 27 appearances in this year, his J1 debut season, will join Lommel for a transfer fee reportedly worth ¥270 million ($2.6 million), a remarkably high figure for a Japanese teen.
The move for Saito, who made his professional debut in the J2 in July 2018 at age 16, resulted from the youngster's dream to test himself in Europe and the club's desire to reap a substantial fee.