C.D Leganés signs Gaku Shibasaki to reinforce the midfield

Leganés reached an agreement with R.C Deportivo de La Coruña for the transfer of 28-year-old Japanese international midfielder Gaku Shibasaki. The player arrives from R.C Deportivo de la Coruña where he played on the last season (2019/20).

Shibasaki has played most of his career at Japan with Kashima Antlers where he made his debut in First Division when he was 18 years old. He managed to win a league, three cups and one emperor’s cup. He also had a relevant role on the 2016 FIFA Club World Cup in which he and his team played the final match against Real Madrid. He scored two goals for his team on the decisive match which had to be decided in extra time. Gaku was awarded the bronze ball on that tournament.

Club World Cup bronze ball before arriving to Spain

He signed with C.D Tenerife in January 2017 to play the final leg of the season and the promotion playoffs with the team that was coached then by the now pepineros’ coach José Luis Martí. He arrived to Getafe C.F on the same summer and thus making his debut in LaLiga Santander. He scored his first goal at the category on the match against F.C Barcelona before suffering an injury that took him away from the pitches for three months.

He stayed with the azulones during the 2018/19 season playing only nine matches. He later signed with Deportivo in 2019 where he participated in 27 official matches during the season in which he had more appearances on the second leg of it.

45 international appearances and 2018 Russia World Cup participation

Shibasaki has played 45 matches with Japan. He made his debut with the national team in 2014 and participated in the 2018 Russia World Cup in which he was a starter on the 4 matches his team played until the round of 16. He also played the 2019 Asian Cup reaching the final of the competition and Copa América 2019 in which his national team played as guest.

Right footed he can play as a midfielder or even a bit more in front. He is the first Japanese player in history to be part of C.D Leganés. Details about his presentation will be on Monday.