Japanese international Hayao Kawabe set to swap Wolves for Standard Liege | OneFootball

The Express and Star are reporting that Hayao Kawabe is set to join Standard Liege from Wolves for around £1.3m. Kawabe only joined Wolves 18 moths ago for £500k from Grasshoppers, having made no appearances for the side in that time. The 27-year-old Japanese international returned to Grasshopper on loan after signing for Wolves, making 53 appearances and scoring 12 goals. He had only been with the Swiss side for six months before Wolves bought him, in which time he had scored four goals in 17 games.

Kawabe began his career with Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where he made 147 appearances and scored nine goals. He also spent time on loan with Jubilo Iwata, where he made 100 appearances in two years, with 10 goals scored.

Kawabe can play as either a conventional, attacking or defensive midfielder. He will become Standard’s fourth signing ahead of the 2023/2024 season. The club also has a new head coach in Carl Hoefkens, who will be supported by Yaya Toure.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson