On Thursday, Bayern Munich made a surprising announcement regarding the acquisition of Japanese center-back Hiroki Ito from Stuttgart until 2028. This move came after reportedly activating his 30 million euro release clause. Ito, 25, is the first major signing for Bayern in this transfer window. He previously joined Stuttgart just two seasons ago from Japanese side Jubilo Iwata for less than one million euros.
In a statement, Ito expressed his excitement about joining Bayern, stating, “It’s a great honor for me to be able to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world. I want to play my part in FC Bayern winning lots of trophies.” Ito is a versatile player who primarily plays in central defense but can also fill in at left-back or defensive midfield positions. During his time at Stuttgart, he appeared in 97 matches and scored two goals.
Bayern’s sporting director, Max Eberl, expressed his admiration for Ito’s skill set, saying, “Hiroki has everything that we want: he’s a player who embraces challenges, overcomes them and continues to make his way.” Eberl also highlighted Ito’s height, aggression, strong left foot, passing game, and defensive versatility. Ito played a significant role in Stuttgart’s impressive turnaround last season, helping them secure a Champions League spot.
Since making his debut for Japan in 2022, Ito has earned 19 caps and scored one goal. His addition to Bayern’s squad is expected to bolster their defense and contribute to the team’s success on the field. With high hopes for the future, Ito is ready to take on the challenge of playing for one of the top clubs in the world.
