Belgian club Sint-Truiden makes official offer for Ryotaro Araki, from Kashima Antlers
Last Tuesday, the 9th, it was revealed that Sint-Truiden, a club in Belgium’s first division, showed strong interest in signing midfielder Ryotaro Araki, 24, who currently plays for Kashima Antlers, in Japan. Sources indicate that the Belgian team has already presented a formal proposal and negotiations for a possible transfer are in the negotiation phase.
Araki’s ambitious goal and talks with the Belgian club
Midfielder Ryotaro Araki has expressed his desire to play in European football on several occasions. Sint-Truiden’s proposal, therefore, represents a significant opportunity for the player to realize this old dream. Negotiations between the clubs continue with expectations of a positive outcome for both sides.
Araki’s promising career and Sint-Truiden’s history
Ryotaro Araki began his career at Kashima Antlers in 2020, after leaving Higashi Fukuoka High School. In 2021, the young athlete stood out by scoring 10 goals in the championship, being recognized with the J.League Best Young Player award. He was also present at the Paris 2024 Olympics, highlighting his potential on the international stage.
In his last season, Araki participated in 19 matches, without finding the net, and scored one goal in 16 games in the special “Meiji Yasuda Centennial League” tournament. The player is known for his creativity, refined technique and innovative ideas on the field, characteristics that make him a valuable target in the market.
Sint-Truiden, in turn, ended the 2025-26 season in third place in the Belgian league and will make its historic debut in the Europa League, marking the club’s first participation in a European competition in 102 years of existence. The team has a strong connection with Japanese football, having eight players from the country in its squad last season, including names like defender Shogo Taniguchi and striker Keisuke Goto, both of whom played for the national team.
There is still no official confirmation on the completion of the agreement, but the move indicates a promising future for Araki in European football and an important reinforcement for Sint-Truiden in its unprecedented continental journey.
