Soichiro Kozuki moves on loan to Gornik Zabrze

Attacker Soichiro Kozuki has signed on loan for Polish first-division side Gornik Zabrze. The Japanese forward will spend the rest of year in Poland after one and a half years with S04. The 14-time Polish champions have also secured a buy option. If that is activated, FC Schalke 04 will have a buy-back clause available.

“Soichiro impressively made the jump from the fourth division to the Bundesliga here at Schalke. However, after his injury, he rarely played in the first half of the season,” said sporting director Marc Wilmots. “We have made a sensible decision for both Soichiro and the club. We wish him all the best in Poland.”

Kozuki made his way through the ranks of the Kyoto Sanga academy prior to moving to Europe. He then joined the Knappenschmiede after a stint at 1. FC Düren, catching the eye with a series of impressive performances for the Schalke U23s. The 23-year-old featured in 17 Regionalliga games, scoring 11 goals and setting up a further five. Kozuki made his Bundesliga debut for the Royal Blues in January 2023, scoring his maiden goal against RB Leipzig. The attacker has featured five times in the 2. Bundesliga this season, as well as making one appearance in the DFB-Pokal.

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