Keito Nakamura: Hull City interested in Reims’ Japan winger

Nakamura enjoyed a productive season in Ligue 1 during the 2024-25 campaign, scoring 11 goals in 32 appearances despite Reims’ relegation.

He started his football career in the academy at Gamba Osaka before moving to Europe aged 18, with loan spells at FC Twente, Sint-Truiden and Juniors OO. He then joined LASK Linz on a permanent deal before moving to Reims in 2023.

He has also become a key figure for Japan, scoring 11 goals in 29 appearances, including six in his first six international matches.

His pace in the final third, ability to cut inside and shoot, and work rate are his key attributes.

Japanese football journalist Tasuku Okawa told BBC Sport: “Due to Stade de Reims’ relegation, he currently finds himself playing in the French second division, but the quality he is showing on the world stage proves he belongs at the highest level.

“He has turned his transfer frustration into motivation. His performances were not only enough to offset Mitoma’s absence but became central to Japan’s campaign.”

Off the pitch, Nakamura is also building a strong personal brand, which is attracting further interest from top clubs.

“Not since Hidetoshi Nakata has Japan produced a player with the potential to make a global impact in both football and fashion,” journalist Choco Sasaki-Burns added.

Nakamura is widely regarded as one of Japan’s most marketable footballers, due to his perceived good looks, which have been written about extensively in Japanese before the World Cup and now increasingly in other languages.

That visibility has led to a number of commercial partnerships and appearances at fashion events, managed by his parents, including at Paris Fashion Week.

Those close to him say he enjoys living in Europe, is open-minded and has adapted well to each move, with a strong focus on nutrition supported by a personal chef who travels with him.