Soichiro Kozuki: I’m excited to see my father’s reaction

Soichiro, you missed a large part of the second half of the season due to an ankle injury. Are you back to full fitness now?

Thanks for asking. On the whole, I am doing okay, but I do still notice that I’m still not yet at 100%. But that’s nothing unusual after being out for such a long time. It’s definitely getting better day by day.

You’ve seemed really engaged in the pre-season training sessions so far. What are your goals for the upcoming season?

I’m still a new player, even though I’ve already officially been a part of the squad for more than half a year now. Because of my injury, I was only able to make five first-team appearances, which is around 400 minutes. Therefore, my main goal is to play as much as possible and to show my quality on the pitch. If I manage to do that, it also helps the team. I’m highly motivated and can hardly wait for the start of the competitive season.

It’s your first pre-season as a first-team player. How are you coping with the workload?

It’s tough. I think the fans who’ve followed us to Mittersill can see that in the session. It was around 30 degrees Celsius in Sunday morning’s session. But that’s why we’re here, to work.

There’s a table tennis table at the team hotel. Have you already grabbed a racket and had a game against some of your teammates?

I’m certainly not a bad table tennis player (grins). But after training I prefer to relax and recharge my batteries.

You were certainly a pleasant surprise in the winter. After playing well in some friendlies during the World Cup break, you signed your first professional contract, then came your Bundesliga debut and even your first league goal. Did you have to pinch yourself a few times whilst all that was going on just to check that you weren’t dreaming?

If I’m honest, I did have to do that sometimes. A year ago, I was still playing fifth-tier football with 1. FC Düren, and then I spent the first half of last season with FC Schalke 04’s U23s in the fourth division. It was certainly a big step up to the Bundesliga, and then another one to go from substitute to starter. Of course, it’s always been my dream to reach the first team. But then it all happened so fast, I absolutely wasn’t expecting it. It showed me that hard work pays off. Unfortunately, my injury then halted my progress.

What did your family think of your journey to the first team?

They’re proud of me. But my parents always tell me not to let up after the first few appearances as a professional. I managed to get a taste of the top flight, but nothing more. I need to keep working hard every day and apply myself.

Have your parents been to the VELTINS-Arena yet?

Not yet, but that’ll soon change. My dad’s coming to Germany next month, and a visit to our stadium is of course top of the itinerary. I’m excited to see what he will say. He’s only been able to experience the atmosphere of the VELTINS-Arena from the television so far.

You’ve chosen a new shirt number for this season. You’ve been wearing the number 14 since the start of pre-season. Does this number have a special meaning for you?

I played in Japan with the number 14 on my back, and also at the U17 World Cup. It’s been a lucky number for me, and I’ve had plenty of speical moments in my youth career when wearing 14. It became free here, and so I asked if I could wear it in the future.

You mainly chat to your teammates in English, but you are also sprinkling the odd sentence in German into conversation. Do you have a favourite word in German?

Good question (thinks). “Sicher” (safe) is a word I use a lot in training. I use it when we have the ball when I want to us to control the ball.

You were also able to speak a little Japanese in the changing room last season with compatriot Maya Yoshida, who has since left the club after our relegation.

Maya’s a great guy. When I was injured, he was a really important contact for me. We met most evenings, went out to eat together and spoke about football. He’s an incredible person, who has achieved lots in his sporting career and has left his mark at several clubs.

Which players do you spend the most time with?

I get on with them all, but I have a particularly good relationship with Leo Greiml. I often go round his house and we cook together. My specialty is curry with rice.