It wouldn’t be a transfer window in Belgium if Sint Truiden weren’t signing players from the J League. The latest to make the switch from the top flight of Japanese football is Ryotaro Araki, who swaps Kashima Antlers to sign for Sint Truiden. Araki, who was part of Japan’s squad at the 2024 Paris Olympics, has spent six years with Kashima Antlers but has now decided to further his career in the Belgian Pro League.

Sint Truiden have been a springboard for many Japanese players in the past. The environment created by the side’s Japanese owners has been one that has allowed players from the J League to settle into European football quickly, with many then going on to play for other bigger clubs in Europe. Sint Truiden have also been signing more veteran players from Japan who help the new players arriving from the J League.

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Araki can play out wide or behind the striker and has played just under 150 games for Kashima Antlers, scoring 18 goals. During the 2024 season he was loaned out to FC Tokyo, where he scored seven goals and provided four assists in 31 games. His best season came in 2021 where he scored 13 goals and provided seven assists in 46 games.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson