Yutaro Oda: Hearts complete deal for Vissel Kobe forward
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Yutaro Oda has joined Hearts from J-League club Vissel Kobe
Heart of Midlothian have signed Yutaro Oda, with the Japanese forward in line to make his debut in Friday's Scottish Premiership meeting with St Mirren.
Oda has signed a three-and-a-half-year contract after an undisclosed fee was agreed with Vissel Kobe.
Capped up to under-19 level, the 21-year-old can play across the front line.
"I have been looking for a challenge, so this is a great club for me to come to," Oda said.
"As a player, I see myself as a very speedy and sharp player. I am also good at dribbling and with the ball at my feet.
"When I had my meeting with Hearts, it was clear that they had done their research on me. To me, that shows that they really wanted to sign me, and that they are keen to help me develop further as a player."
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Oda, who follows defender James Hill in joining Hearts this week, played 27 times, 11 of them starts, for Vissel Kobe as they finished 13th in the 2022 J-League.
Hearts manager Robbie Neilson describes him as "very quick, very direct and technically very good" and is excited to be able to sign a player at such a young age who the Edinburgh club can help develop further.
Neilson's side, currently third in the Scottish Premiership, are also chasing a loan deal for Newcastle United forward Garang Kuol.
The 18-year-old was in Edinburgh for talks, but there is interest from other clubs in the Australia international.
"We're still waiting on a decision on him, so it's up to the parent club Newcastle to make the decision," Neilson said at the weekend.
"We'd love to have him here, we've given a pitch and now it's up to them to decide."
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