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PSV has reached an agreement with N.E.C. Nijmegen regarding the transfer of Kodai Sano. The 22-year-old midfielder has signed a contract in Eindhoven through mid-2031 and will wear jersey number 24. “I see this transfer as the ideal next step in my career,” assures the multiple Japanese international. “PSV is a top club; you can see that in everything they do. What’s more, the head coach’s character and style of play really appeal to me. He even speaks a little Japanese, thanks to his own past with JEF United. That’s really nice, of course. I can’t wait to step onto the field here. I’m going to fight for PSV with everything I’ve got, day in and day out.” NEC acquired Sano from the Japanese club Fagiano Okayama in August 2023. A month later, he made his official debut for the Nijmegen club against none other than PSV. Over the years, he developed into a key player at NEC, with last season marking the pinnacle of his career. Coach Dick Schreuder’s team finished third in the VriendenLoterij Eredivisie and reached the final of the KNVB Cup. PSV had had Sano at the top of its wish list for quite some time. “We see him as a number 6 with a lot of dynamism in his play,” says Director of Football Earnest Stewart. “Kodai can bring tremendous intensity, fits perfectly into PSV’s style of play, and also has a lot of potential for growth. In addition, despite his young age, he has already shown that he can perform under pressure and isn’t afraid to take on responsibility. We see Kodai as a very valuable addition to the team.”