We’ve signed fullback Yusuke Tanaka to bolster the first team squad for the upcoming AFC Champions League campaign.
At 28 and coming off a 39 game season with Kawasaki Frontale in the J-League, Tanaka is a key acquisition to the roster.
With a rich footballing pedigree and the ability to play at both left and right fullback, Tanaka will be an important ingredient to our Champions League title defence this season.
Fans might remember Tanaka from the two Group Stage matches in 2014 against Frontale.
CEO John Tsatsimas knows first-hand the talents of this player in the prime of his career.
“Yusuke is a fantastic addition to our squad and brings a great deal of experience to the Wanderers,” said Tsatsimas.
“He is a talented and capable defender who can play either side of defence and having seen first-hand his work rate we feel that he will fit into both our style of play and our team culture very well.”
Starting his professional career at one of Japan’s most successful clubs in Yokohama F Marinos, Tanaka played 112 games before transferring to J-League side Kawasaki Frontale in 2011 where he would go on to play 155 matches including in the 2014 ACL.
The experienced Japanese defender has been initially signed on a short-term Champions League contract for the Group Stage and potential Round of 16 matches.
Yusuke Tanaka
Born: 14 April 1986 (28)
Nationality: Japanese
Position: Defender (right or left back)
Height: 1.81m
Senior Clubs
2011-2014 – Kawasaki Frontale (155 app)
2005-2010 – Yokohama F Marinos (112 app)
NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers squad for 2014/15
1. Ante Covic, 2. Shannon Cole, 3. Daniel Mullen, 4. Nikolai Topor-Stanley, 5. Brendan Hamill, 6. Antony Golec, 7. Labinot Haliti, 8. Mateo Poljak, 9. Tomi Juric, 10. Vitor Saba, 11. Brendon Santalab, 12. Nikita Rukavytsya 13. Matthew Spiranovic, 14. Kwabena Appiah, 15. Yianni Perkatis, 16. Jaushua Sotirio, 17. Romeo Castelen, 18. Iacopo La Rocca, 19. Mark Bridge, 20. Dean Bouzanis, 21. Martin Lo, 22. Seyi Adeleke, 23. Jason Trifiro, 31. Alusine Fofanah, 32. Daniel Alessi, 33. Nick Kalmar, 34. Golgol Mebrahtu, 35. Kearyn Baccus, Yusuke Tanaka (number TBC)
