JapaneseFootballerAsian Games MedalistJ.League Player

Ryo Hatsuse

Ryo Hatsuse is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for Sheffield Wednesday, previously with Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe, and represented Japan at youth levels.

1. Overview

Ryo Hatsuse (初瀬 亮Hatsuse RyōJapanese, born July 10, 1997) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender, primarily as a full-back. His career has seen him play for several clubs in Japan, including Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe, as well as a loan spell at Avispa Fukuoka. He currently plays for Sheffield Wednesday in England. Hatsuse has achieved significant club honors, including multiple J1 League titles with Vissel Kobe, and has represented Japan at various youth levels and the senior national team.

2. Early Life and Youth Career

Ryo Hatsuse was born on July 10, 1997, in Kishiwada, Osaka, Japan. During his junior high school years, Hatsuse faced a choice between dedicating himself to the local Danjiri Festival or joining the prestigious Gamba Osaka youth academy. He ultimately chose to pursue a football career, enrolling in Gamba Osaka's academy system. Initially joining the junior youth team as a midfielder, he transitioned to the left back position in the summer of his first year of junior high school.

Hatsuse enjoyed a highly successful youth career with Gamba Osaka's academies. With the Gamba Osaka Junior Youth team, he was part of a historic squad that achieved the first-ever U-15 national treble in 2012, winning the Kansai Football League (U-15) Sunrise League (which they won three times from 2010 to 2012), the JFA Premier Cup, the Japan Club Youth Football Championship, and the Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Youth (U-15) Football Championship. His success continued with the Gamba Osaka Youth team, where he won the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League in 2015.

In 2015, Hatsuse was registered as a Type 2 player, allowing him to train and play with Gamba Osaka's senior team while still part of the youth setup. He was included on the bench for the semifinals and final of the 2015 Emperor's Cup. His impressive performances in the youth ranks led to his internal promotion to the senior team for the 2016 season, an announcement made on November 24, 2015. He was promoted alongside fellow promising talents Akito Takagi, Mizuki Ichimaru, and Ritsu Doan.

3. Club Career

Ryo Hatsuse's professional club career began at Gamba Osaka in Japan before moving to Vissel Kobe, a loan spell at Avispa Fukuoka, and then to Sheffield Wednesday in England.

3.1. Gamba Osaka

Hatsuse made his senior debut for Gamba Osaka on February 14, 2016, in a "Panasonic Cup" match against Nagoya Grampus. This match also marked the official opening of the new Suita City Football Stadium. Despite being in his first year after youth promotion, he was selected to start as a right back. His J1 League debut came shortly after, on March 6, 2016, against Ventforet Kofu, where he contributed significantly by assisting Shun Nagasawa's decisive winning goal.

On May 14, 2016, following the AFC Champions League sixth match against Melbourne Victory, it was announced that Hatsuse had met the criteria for a professional A contract, a milestone in his developing career. In his rookie year, he made five appearances in the J1 League and played 15 matches for the Gamba Osaka U-23 team in the J3 League.

In 2017, Hatsuse continued to develop. On February 22, he was deployed in an unfamiliar role as an inside midfielder after being substituted into an AFC Champions League match against Adelaide United FC. He made his first J1 League start of the 2017 season on March 5 against Kashiwa Reysol, once again providing an assist for Shun Nagasawa's second goal. Hatsuse scored his first professional goal on June 21, 2017, in the Emperor's Cup against Verspah Oita. Later that year, on October 29, he assisted another goal from a corner kick against Vegalta Sendai, marking an impressive streak of four consecutive assists in four league matches.

3.2. Vissel Kobe

On December 17, 2018, Ryo Hatsuse completed a permanent transfer to Vissel Kobe. He quickly made an impact, scoring his first goal for his new club on February 1, 2019, during a preseason friendly match against Los Angeles FC as part of a United States tour. His goal came from a direct free kick in the 81st minute.

Upon joining Vissel Kobe, Hatsuse initially started as the first-choice left back in the J1 League. However, his defensive performances were noted to be inconsistent, and he was frequently criticized by teammate Lukas Podolski for his defensive vulnerabilities. In the summer of 2019, he lost his starting position following the arrival of Gōtoku Sakai. Hatsuse subsequently returned to Vissel Kobe after his loan spell at Avispa Fukuoka concluded.

He scored his first J1 League goal for Vissel Kobe on April 2, 2022, in a match against Kyoto Sanga F.C.. The 2023 season proved to be a breakout year for Hatsuse at Vissel Kobe. He solidified his position as the regular left back, making 33 league appearances, scoring one goal, and providing eight assists. His contributions were crucial in helping Vissel Kobe secure their historic first 2023 J1 League title. He continued his success in the 2024 season, playing 35 league matches. Vissel Kobe went on to win the 2024 J1 League again, achieving back-to-back titles, and also secured the 2024 Emperor's Cup, completing a domestic double.

3.3. Avispa Fukuoka (loan)

To gain more playing time and experience, Ryo Hatsuse joined Avispa Fukuoka on a developmental loan on September 5, 2019. He spent the remainder of the 2019 season with the J2 League club before returning to his parent club, Vissel Kobe.

3.4. Sheffield Wednesday

On February 6, 2025, Ryo Hatsuse moved to England, joining EFL Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on a free transfer. He made his debut for the club on February 21, 2025, coming on as a substitute in a 4-0 defeat against Burnley.

4. International Career

Ryo Hatsuse has represented Japan at various youth levels and received a call-up to the senior national team.

His international career began with the Japan under-19 national team, for which he was selected to compete in the AFC U-19 Championship in 2016. During the tournament, he started as a left back in the semi-final match against Vietnam, where he was instrumental in two goals, both originating from set pieces. He also participated in the Bahrain U-19 Cup in 2016.

Hatsuse was later called up to the Japan under-20 national team for the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup in May 2017. In this tournament, he played two matches, appearing as a right back. He also participated in a Germany expedition with the U-20 team in 2017.

With the Japan under-21 national team, Hatsuse participated in the AFC U-23 Championship and the Toulon Tournament in 2018. He also took part in the Sports for Tomorrow (SFT) Program South America-Japan U-21 Football Exchange in 2018. His contributions to the U-21 team were highlighted by winning a silver medal in football at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.

On November 29, 2017, Hatsuse received his first call-up to the senior Japan national football team as part of the squad for the 2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship, which featured primarily domestic-based players. However, he did not make any appearances for the senior national team in official matches.

5. Playing Style

Ryo Hatsuse primarily operates as a full-back, specializing in both the left back and right back positions, though his natural position is often cited as left back. He is known for his versatility and ability to use both feet effectively. Standing at 69 in (175 cm) tall and weighing 154 lb (70 kg), Hatsuse developed proficiency with his left foot from a young age, inspired by Japanese football legend Shunsuke Nakamura, whom he admired as a child. This ambidexterity allows him to deliver corner kicks and other set pieces with his left foot.

While his offensive contributions, including his ability to provide assists, have been highlighted as a strength throughout his career, particularly during his time at Gamba Osaka and Vissel Kobe, he has faced criticism regarding his defensive aspects, especially early in his tenure at Vissel Kobe. National team coach Vahid Halilhodžić notably commented that Hatsuse was "more interesting in attack than defense," underscoring his offensive-minded approach to the full-back role.

6. Career Statistics

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Gamba Osaka2016J1 League502000100080
2017J1 League190312040-281
2018J1 League1000050--150
Total34051705000511
Gamba Osaka U-232016J3 League150----150
2018J3 League100----100
Total25000000000250
Vissel Kobe2019J1 League1700010--180
2020J1 League160-104000210
2021J1 League3303080--440
2022J1 League171422040-273
2023J1 League3314020--391
2024J1 League35040205010470
Total1512152160130101964
Avispa Fukuoka (loan)2019J2 League90----90
Sheffield Wednesday2024-25EFL Championship200000--20
Career Total2212203230180102835

7. Honours

Ryo Hatsuse has achieved several honours throughout his career with both youth and senior clubs, as well as with national youth teams.

Club

  • Gamba Osaka
    • Emperor's Cup: 2015 (as a Type 2 player)
  • Gamba Osaka Junior Youth
    • Kansai Football League (U-15) Sunrise League: 2010, 2011, 2012
    • JFA Premier Cup: 2012
    • Japan Club Youth Football Championship: 2012
    • Prince Takamado Trophy All Japan Youth (U-15) Football Championship: 2012
  • Gamba Osaka Youth
    • Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League: 2015
  • Vissel Kobe
    • J1 League: 2023, 2024
    • Emperor's Cup: 2024
    • FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP: 2020

    International

    • U-19 Japan National Team
      • AFC U-19 Championship: 2016
    • U-21 Japan National Team
      • Asian Games: Silver Medal (2018)

8. See Also

  • List of people from Osaka Prefecture
  • Gamba Osaka players
  • Vissel Kobe players
  • Avispa Fukuoka players
  • List of Japanese football players in European leagues