Sunshine Coast FC has bolstered their backline with Japanese defender Takanori Sato set to return to the club this season.
The six-foot-three 24-year-old has just signed on for 2013, and club officials are confident he will be a strong asset for the first National Premier Leagues season.
Sato previously played for the Fire in 2011, after Sunshine Coast FC managing director Noel Woodall saw him play in Japan in 2010 and sought to sign him.
Sato featured strongly throughout the Fire’s QSL Championship-winning season.
Woodall said Sato had been an “outstanding contributor to the club’s 2011 success”.
“Playing in his favoured position (centre back) there really was no one in the QSL better than him,” Woodall said.
Sunshine Coast FC General manager Glen Mahoney said Sato had been a disciplined player.
“His ability to pin-point pass, switch play and his strength on the ball were outstanding,” he said.
Woodall has no doubt if Taka plays to his full potential he will again be a stand out in the NPL.
Sato has since been playing with Kanagawa-Ken Kyoin SC in the Japanese Regional Leagues competition.
Technical Director of Coaching and NPL First team coach Kevin A’herne-Evans said having a player of Taka’s ability back in the squad for the inaugural National Premier Leagues 2013 season was a big boost for the Fire.
“His quality on the ball, composure under pressure and more importantly defensive solidity will further strengthen what is already an outstanding backline,” he said.
Sato will join a backline made up of Ryan Smith, Greig Henslee, Sam Knight, James Stinson, Paul Arnison and Alex Barlow, providing depth to a formidable defence.
“I am of the view that you must have a strong defence as a basic for any football team to succeed,” Woodall said.
“I believe all of these players will contribute to the club’s defensive line-up being one of the best in the League.”
Sato will make his debut with the Fire against Central Queensland FC at Rockhampton on Saturday, March 9.
