Hull City Eyes Stade de Reims Winger Keito Nakamura for Premier League Move
Hull City has shown interest in acquiring Stade de Reims winger Keito Nakamura. The 26-year-old Japan international participated in all four matches during his nation’s World Cup run and is currently valued at £21.5 million by the French second-tier club.
Despite Hull’s interest, the asking price for Nakamura has prompted hesitation among potential buyers. Nakamura is keen to transition to the Premier League, having previously attracted attention from teams such as Everton, Bournemouth, and Fulham.
During the summer transfer window, Hull City has bolstered its squad significantly, securing 11 new signings, including fellow Japan international Hidemasa Morita, and spending about £76 million in preparation for their return to the Premier League this season.
Nakamura seeks to depart France following a season spent in the second division. Last summer, he garnered interest from clubs like Spain’s Villarreal and Turkish side Besiktas, with offers peaking at £15.5 million.
As Reims’ leading scorer with 14 goals last season, Nakamura solidified his role as Japan’s preferred left winger at the World Cup after Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma suffered a hamstring injury. He made a significant impact, scoring once, providing an assist, and earning a spot in Opta’s team of the group stage. Japan’s campaign ended in a narrow defeat to Brazil, with a last-minute goal from Gabriel Martinelli sealing their fate in the last-32 round.
Who is Keito Nakamura?
Nakamura had a noteworthy season in Ligue 1 during the 2024-25 campaign, netting 11 goals across 32 appearances, despite Reims’ relegation. He began his football journey in the Gamba Osaka academy before moving to Europe at the age of 18. His career has included loan spells at FC Twente, Sint-Truiden, and Juniors OO, followed by a permanent transfer to LASK Linz prior to joining Reims in 2023.
With Japan’s national team, Nakamura has also made a mark, scoring 11 goals in 29 caps, including six goals in his initial six international appearances. His key strengths include his pace in the attacking zone, ability to cut inside for shots, and strong work ethic.
Japanese football journalist Tasuku Okawa commented on Nakamura’s current situation, stating, “Due to Stade de Reims’ relegation, he currently finds himself playing in the French second division, but the quality he is showing on the world stage proves he belongs at the highest level. He has turned his transfer frustration into motivation, becoming central to Japan’s campaign.”
Additionally, Nakamura is cultivating a strong personal brand which has drawn the attention of major football clubs. Journalist Choco Sasaki-Burns noted, “Not since Hidetoshi Nakata has Japan produced a player with the potential to make a global impact in both football and fashion.”
With increasing visibility, Nakamura is recognized as one of Japan’s most marketable footballers, a status amplified by his well-documented good looks leading up to the World Cup and now in international media. This recognition has opened doors for various commercial partnerships and appearances at fashion events, which his parents manage, including outings at Paris Fashion Week.
Those close to Nakamura indicate that he enjoys life in Europe, exhibiting an open-minded attitude and a smooth adjustment to new environments, all while maintaining a strong focus on nutrition with the assistance of a personal chef who travels alongside him.
Hull City have expressed an interest in signing Stade de Reims winger Keito Nakamura.
The Japan international, 26, started all four of his country’s games at the World Cup and is valued at £21.5m by French second-tier side Reims.
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However, the asking price has deterred potential suitors, with Nakamura eager to move to the Premier League after attracting interest from Everton, Bournemouth and Fulham in the past.
Hull have signed 11 players this summer, including fellow Japan international Hidemasa Morita, spending an estimated £76m on their return to the Premier League this season.
Nakamura is keen to leave France having spent last season in the second tier, despite interest last summer from clubs such as Spain’s Villarreal and Turkish giants Besiktas, with offers reaching up to £15.5m.
The versatile forward finished as Reims’ leading scorer with 14 goals and then established himself as Japan’s first-choice left winger at the World Cup after Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma’s was ruled out with a hamstring injury.
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Nakamura scored one goal, provided an assist and was named in Opta’s team of the group stage. Japan pushed Brazil all the way in their last-32 match before being knocked out by a last-minute Gabriel Martinelli winner.
Who is Keito Nakamura?
Nakamura enjoyed a productive season in Ligue 1 during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 11 goals in 32 appearances despite Reims’ relegation.
He started his football career in the academy at Gamba Osaka before moving to Europe aged 18, with loan spells at FC Twente, Sint-Truiden and Juniors OO. He then joined LASK Linz on a permanent deal before moving to Reims in 2023.
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He has also become a key figure for Japan, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances, including six in his first six international matches.
His pace in the final third, ability to cut inside and shoot, and work rate are his key attributes.
Japanese football journalist Tasuku Okawa told BBC Sport: “Due to Stade de Reims’ relegation, he currently finds himself playing in the French second division, but the quality he is showing on the world stage proves he belongs at the highest level.
“He has turned his transfer frustration into motivation. His performances were not only enough to offset Mitoma’s absence but became central to Japan’s campaign.”
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Off the pitch, Nakamura is also building a strong personal brand, which is attracting further interest from top clubs.
“Not since Hidetoshi Nakata has Japan produced a player with the potential to make a global impact in both football and fashion,” journalist Choco Sasaki-Burns added.
Nakamura is widely regarded as one of Japan’s most marketable footballers, due to his perceived good looks, which have been written about extensively in Japanese before the World Cup and now increasingly in other languages.
That visibility has led to a number of commercial partnerships and appearances at fashion events, managed by his parents, including at Paris Fashion Week.
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Those close to him say he enjoys living in Europe, is open-minded and has adapted well to each move, with a strong focus on nutrition supported by a personal chef who travels with him.
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