Antwerp sign Japanese goalkeeper from FC Tokyo | OneFootball

The Belgian Pro League has been a proving ground for a handful of talented Japanese goalkeepers in recent seasons. Antwerp are hoping that their latest signing, Taishi Brandon Nozawa, will follow in the footsteps of Daniel Schmidt, Leo Kokubo and Zion Suzuki. The Great Old have announced that the 22-year-old goalkeeper has signed a four year deal with the club and will join at the start of July from FC Tokyo. This may well signal that they expect Sam Lammens to leave the club this summer.

Nozawa had been the starting goalkeeper from FC Tokyo in the J League this season, making 16 appearances and keeping four clean sheets. However, he was dropped in May and has had sporadic appearances since then. The Japanese youth international has come through the youth system at the club, making his senior debut as a teenage during the 2020/2021 campaign. Nozawa did spend a season on loan at Iwate Grulla Morioka before returning to become the sides number one for the 2024 season. Overall, Nozawa has made 64 appearances for FC Tokyo. Unfortunately, the side have struggled this season and sit 16th after 21 games.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson