Cardiff City defender Ryotaro Tsunoda has completed a permanent return to Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos for an undisclosed fee following a tough 18 months in Wales.
A statement from the club read: “Ryotaro Tsunoda has completed a permanent transfer to Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance.
The defender joined the Bluebirds in January 2024 and experienced two loan spells in Belgium with K.V. Kortrijk. We’d like to wish Tsuno the very best of luck for the future.”
The move brings to an end a difficult spell in South Wales for the 26-year-old, who, despite joining in January 2024, failed to make a competitive appearance for the Bluebirds.
His 18 months at the club were plagued by injury setbacks, which restricted his opportunities to break into the first team. Tsunoda suffered another injury during Cardiff City’s opening pre-season fixture this summer against Johor Darul Ta’zim, further hampering hopes of a fresh start.
Despite optimism among fans that the left-footed centre-back might feature under new manager Brian Barry-Murphy, his departure had begun to feel inevitable in recent weeks.
Tsunoda becomes the 13th player to leave Cardiff City this summer. Nine departed following the expiration of their contracts, while Michael Reindorf and Roko Simic have sealed loan moves ahead of the new campaign.
More exits could still follow, with Cardiff yet to make a signing this transfer window, although that is expected to change in the coming days.
Brian Barry-Murphy Reveals Bluebirds Transfer Plans
Despite new manager Brian Barry-Murphy yet to bolster what is a youthful squad seemingly short on senior leadership, there has been no urgency to bring in reinforcements, with the Irishman emphasising a ‘quality over quantity’ approach.
On the opening weekend of the season, new manager Brian Barry-Murphy named a starting XI featuring just one player over the age of 23, Ryan Wintle, with seven academy graduates in the line-up and nine involved in the match overall.
Academy graduate Rubin Colwill, who has been with the club since the age of six, captained the side and scored the crucial equaliser in their opening-day victory. It is that youthful talent littered at the club that enticed a manager known for developing players to take the role.
“What attracted me was the potential of the Club, the playing staff that is here and the potential to add to that, as well as where the Club is at; it’s similar to where I feel I’m at,” said the 48-year-old in his first press conference as boss.
“From here, I think there’s a real opportunity to grow the Club with what we’ve got and do something really special.”
It has been widely reported that FC Copenhagen goalkeeper Nathan Trott is close to securing a loan move to Cardiff City, having been spotted seated behind the dugout during the club’s League One opener against Peterborough United.
New Signing’s Imminent For Cardiff City?
Meanwhile, Leeds United midfielder Darko Gyabi and Liverpool’s Luka Stephenson are also said to be on Cardiff’s radar as the club steps up its recruitment efforts.
Gyabi has spent the past two seasons on loan at Plymouth Argyle, making 58 appearances in all competitions, while Stephenson completed loan spells at Barrow and Dundee United, amassing 68 appearances over the same period.
Speaking after their 2-1 opening day win Barry-Murphy shared that it is likely to be incomings, hopefully before their next fixture on Thursday against Port Vale.
“Yes, we are, I said on Thursday definitely before this game, I’m just a little bit nervous to about saying definitely before Thursday but I will say definitely before Thursday.”
