Derby County are set to welcome two 16-year-old Japanese players from J3 League side Roasso Kumamoto on a short-term training programme. The players, goalkeeper Kyoshiro Nagai and forward Kazuki Hirai, are expected to join the Rams’ academy to gain experience in an English football environment. While the move has been reported on multiple social media […]
Derby County are set to welcome two 16-year-old Japanese players from J3 League side Roasso Kumamoto on a short-term training programme. The players, goalkeeper Kyoshiro Nagai and forward Kazuki Hirai, are expected to join the Rams’ academy to gain experience in an English football environment.
While the move has been reported on multiple social media platforms, including accounts connected to Roasso Kumamoto, Derby County have yet to make an official announcement.
Regardless, the news highlights the club’s ongoing commitment to international youth development and providing young players with exposure to different footballing cultures.
Roasso Kumamoto, based in Kumamoto Prefecture, is a club with a growing reputation for developing talented players. The team won the J3 League title in 2021, earning promotion to the J2 League, and has continued to focus on youth development, helping young players prepare for professional careers.
Nagai and Hirai have stood out in the club’s youth setup and reportedly earned this opportunity to train overseas.
The training programme offers both players a chance to experience the intensity, pace, and physicality of English football.
As a goalkeeper, Nagai will have the opportunity to refine his positioning, shot-stopping, and decision-making under pressure.
Hirai, as a forward, is expected to focus on movement, finishing, and adapting to more competitive defensive systems. Both will benefit from Derby’s facilities, coaching expertise, and structured approach to player development.
For Derby County, hosting young talent from overseas aligns with the club’s broader youth strategy. Initiatives like this not only provide developmental opportunities for visiting players but also expose Derby’s own academy staff and players to new styles, ideas, and cultures within football. Such exchanges strengthen international relationships and reflect the club’s ambition to nurture talent from around the world.
While much of the information regarding Nagai and Hirai is based on reports rather than official announcements, the programme represents a significant step for both the players and Derby County. It is an opportunity for the teenagers to gain first-hand experience in English football and a chance for Derby to reinforce its reputation as a club invested in youth development and international collaboration.
Fans will be watching with interest as the teenagers take their first steps in English football, an experience that could shape the future of two promising careers while fostering closer ties between Derby County and Roasso Kumamoto.
