Takuma Asano

Takuma Asano is yet to make his first appearance in Arsenal colours but enjoyed a successful debut season on loan at Stuttgart.

Asano signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2016 and immediately moved on loan to the Bundesliga 2 club in a loan deal which has been extended into a second season.

Takuma was a near ever-present as Stuttgart secured the title and won promotion to the Bundesliga, making 26 appearances and scoring four goals, while also contributing four assists.

Asano will now remain in Germany for the 2017/18 campaign.

Prior to his move to Europe, Takuma had been representing Sanfrecce Hiroshima, who he signed for at the age of 18.

His first senior campaign ended with Sanfrecce lifting the J-League title and the Japanese Super Cup.

Takuma won the cup again in 2014 and 2015 while making his breakthrough, while also winning the J-League once more in 2015.

He was awarded the title of the J-League’s ‘Rookie of the Year’.

Asano received his first call up in May 2015 when he was invited to a Japan training camp.

His first goal came in June 2016 in a 7-2 win over Bulgaria in the Kirin Cup.

Takuma also represented Japan in the Olympic Games in Brazil.