2024-01-12 11:02:20
Updated January 12, 2024
“Mizuki Saito complete transfer press conference” report
Today, January 12, 2024 (Tuesday), we held a press conference regarding the permanent transfer of Mitsuki Saito.
Mitsuki Saito complete transfer press conference
■Date and time: January 12, 2024 (Tuesday) 18:00-18:30
■Venue: Noevir Stadium Kobe
■Speakers:
・Rakuten Vissel Kobe Co., Ltd. Representative Director and President Yuki Senfu
・Rakuten Vissel Kobe Co., Ltd. Sports Director Hideki Nagai
・Mizuki Saito
Greetings from Yuki Senfu, President and Representative Director
Thank you, everyone, for joining us today despite the sudden announcement of a press conference. Also, thank you to everyone who is watching on YouTube.
At the outset, I would like to express my condolences to those who lost their lives in the Noto Peninsula Earthquake, and express my sympathies to all those affected. Vissel Kobe is also a club that has been inseparable from the earthquake disaster, so we pray for a speedy recovery and recovery.
Today, as I mentioned at the beginning, I would like to hold a press conference to report that Mitsuki Saito will be joining us on a permanent transfer. I spoke with the chairman and management team and signed a long-term contract with three years plus an option. I hope that he can slowly heal from the injury he sustained last summer, and by signing a long-term contract with him, I hope he can heal without rushing.
Also, even following his injury, I am very happy to be able to sign such a long-term contract with Saito, who I have great respect for not only as a player but also as a person. He is an essential player for the club, and I am pleased to be able to conclude this contract and report this to everyone. We hope that you will continue to support Saito and Vissel Kobe.
Greetings from Sports Director Hideki Nagai
Good evening. This is Nagai. We look forward to working with you this year. As our president has told us, we have been able to acquire Mitsuki Saito on a permanent transfer. As I have said repeatedly, I believe that this is not only a treasure for Vissel, but also for Japan. First of all, I hope he can slowly recover from his injury and play an active role for Vissel and Japanese soccer.
During this negotiation, Mr. Shonan was very understanding, and with Mizuki’s feelings as my top priority, we were able to conclude the contract as a permanent transfer. I would also like to thank Shonan Bellmare. Today’s main character is Mizuki, so I’ll leave it to you.
Greetings from Mitsuki Saito
good evening everyone. I have decided to permanently transfer from Shonan Bellmare to Vissel Kobe. First of all, I would like to thank Vissel Kobe for creating this kind of place. I haven’t decided what to say yet, but as President Senfu and SD Nagai said, this transfer was made possible because of the support of many people. In fact, this is my first permanent transfer, and I will be playing as a Vissel Kobe player from now on, but first I would like to focus on recovering from my injury and make the most of the year. I don’t think that my serious injury will negate everything I’ve done and what I’ve accumulated up until now, and I think it’s time to reevaluate my habits in a good way. I want to become even more powerful and make positive changes in myself, while always thinking and being aware of myself as a player. Last season, I was injured and I think people looked at me as an injured player, but starting in 2024, it will be important for me to continue to produce solid results as a player and a professional soccer player. I strongly hope to achieve this at Vissel Kobe because I think it is worthy of recognition and will be a positive thing in my future soccer career. And it is because of everyone who supports me that I am able to be here. As I said when I was injured, the reason I play soccer is to show myself on the pitch and share it with my family, teammates, fans and supporters. Continuing to show off is one of the reasons I play soccer, and I think it’s a big reason, so I hope I can keep that in mind as I spend my days.
Q&A
-Please tell us your thoughts on choosing your first permanent transfer and having both clubs negotiate with you.
Saito“I have special feelings regarding transferring from Shonan Bellmare, where I grew up.
In fact, it has been over three years since I left the team, but what I always keep in mind is to not be afraid of change, to not maintain the status quo, to treat any change as a challenge, and to see what the results will be. My idea is to keep doing that, and now I think Vissel Kobe is the place that will make that idea come true. However, it’s not that I don’t have feelings for Shonan Bellmare; I think it’s mentioned in Shonan Bellmare’s official comments, but I’m here because I have strong feelings, and I’m grateful for the support of many people. Personally, I believe that I am making good choices and making positive changes because I believe that this is something that cannot be achieved by one person alone. ”
-How do you perceive the activities of Mizuki and Tomoni?
Saito“It may be rude to dismiss it with just words of gratitude, but I am truly grateful that the entire J.League, including Vissel Kobe, Shonan Bellmare, and Gamba Osaka, has been involved in such activities, and I am grateful to Power. It has become.
It is important to put your thoughts into words, and I believe that they become the spirit of words.Although not everything will become reality, I personally believe that words have power and can encourage people. . In that sense, I am very happy, and following receiving these activities, I have become clear regarding what I will be doing in 2024, and I believe that it is important for me to return, play, be active, and be of benefit to the team. I would like to continue to express my gratitude to you. ”
-Please tell us how you felt watching the match on the day you won.
Saito“No. 1, it would have been nice to stand on the pitch and win the championship, but at the moment that wasn’t possible.
A week following my surgery at the end of November, we played once morest Nagoya, and no one expected that the championship would be decided in the match once morest Nagoya, but it was a match that might decide the championship at a good time both for the club and for me personally. I was happy the moment I won, and I think it was a little rewarding in a good way.
I was injured and mightn’t play, but the team led us to the championship, and I heard a lot of calls from the players saying, “We’re going to win,” and I’m glad that we achieved that goal. The strongest feeling is that. Thank you very much. ”
-I think there will be more people who want to support you because of your injury.What do you want to show as a player from now on?
Saito“In terms of my style of play, I am of course aiming for plays that lead to results, such as scoring goals and making assists, and I think that is important, but in addition to that, I also want to help the supporters and children who are watching. Ever since my career as a soccer player started, I have always wanted to continue playing in a way that touches the hearts of the players.No matter which club I transfer to, I always say this at press conferences and other events, I think that’s the case, but off the pitch I am once once more reminded that I am supported by so many people, so I want to continue playing to move those people’s hearts.”
-I would like to ask President Senfu. I would like to hear regarding the meaning of 3 years plus options and your plans for returning to work following that.
Thousand cloths“When I was diagnosed with the injury, I was only one year away from recovery, so if things go well for this season, I might be able to return this season, but depending on the situation, I might not be able to return. The basic idea was that we wanted to sign a multi-year contract.When Saito went to the hospital following his injury, he was surprisingly positive and energetic due to his strength as a player and his humanity. When I saw that, I thought he was a great player, and I thought that he would make another comeback, including his humanity, and that he would be a source of strength. I’m very happy to be able to sign a contract with you.”
-I would like to ask Mr. Nagai.You have said that he is a Japanese treasure, but please tell us what aspect of Mr. Saito you value.
Nagai“In terms of play, I personally feel that my ability to get the ball out and my decision-making skills when attacking has improved a lot since coming to Vissel Kobe and using the ball as my own.
It was an unfortunate injury that should not have happened, but I think if things had continued as they were, the A team would have looked normal, and in that sense, I think Saito is a treasure to Japan.
President Chifu also mentioned this, but I am humbled by Mr. Saito’s humanity. After such a serious injury, when I went to the hospital with the president, he was laughing. He was in an incredible state, and even though the doctor told him that no one might bear the pain, he laughed and said to the president and me, “Please don’t look sad. I’m fine.” I’m coming back.” I thought he was an amazing man. I think Saito is such a wonderful human being that if I were born once more, I would want to emulate him and become him. ”
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