Gladbach has signed Zento Uno (22) and Daiki Hashioka (27) to strengthen the right flank and expand the Japanese presence in the squad. The club sits 14th in the Bundesliga after the 2025 season with 30 points, 7 wins, 9 draws and 13 losses, recent form LDDWL.
Who are the newcomers?
Uno arrives from Shimizu S‑Pulse and is known for his aggressive pressing. He stresses that he throws himself into every duel and is ready to prove himself against competition like Florian Neuhaus and Enzo Leopold. Hashioka, previously on loan from Slavia Prague, primarily plays as a right‑back but can also cover central defence. He explains that discipline and team spirit from Japan make his integration easier.
Why is the Japanese link important?
Since Yuki Otsu in 2011/12, Gladbach has consistently signed Japanese talent – Ko Itakura, Shio Fukuda, Shuto Machino and Kota Takai followed. Sporting director Rouven Schröder (50) sees cultural similarity between Japan and Germany as an advantage for integration. Both players emphasize that the Japanese mindset of fighting until the last second fits well with German training methods.
How does this fit into the current squad?
Hashioka arrives because Yukhim Konoplia (26) tore his inner knee ligament. Although listed as a right‑back, he wants to mainly occupy the right flank and fight for Gladbach. Uno experiences his first overseas stint and appreciates the proximity to Düsseldorf, where Japanese restaurants and shops give him a piece of home.
What does this mean for the upcoming season?
With the new Japanese players, Gladglass hopes to reduce defensive frailties – currently 49 goals conceded this season. The next opponent is an away match against FSV Mainz 05 on February 13, 2027, where Gladbach is considered the 9th‑placed team in the table. The two signings are expected to be ready immediately and help the team climb out of the lower half of the standings.
