Latest news with #RentoTakaoka
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
'Everyone loves him' - Saints youngster already a favourite at loan club
VALENCIENNES chief Mathieu Frison admitted "everyone loves" Saints youngster Rento Takaoka less than a month after he joined the French club on loan. Takaoka scored a brace to help Valenciennes claim their first win of the season when they beat Le Puy 2-1 on Friday evening. The 18 year old scored twice in the space of five minutes, having been introduced from the bench for his second professional appearance. Takaoka, who did not play for Saints before heading on his first loan experience, has quickly become a favourite in Northern France. 'Everyone loves him,' Frison explained. 'In line with his development, they [Sport Republic] thought a stint in France, with us, would be good,' he said. The initial plan was for Takaoka to play for Valenciennes' reserve side to gain professional experience, having only just finished high school in Japan. The teenager has never played club football as he joined Saints from Nissho Gakuen High School in March, right after his 18th birthday. Teammate Stredair Appuah has been left impressed by the Japan youth international, who has limited English and French, a month into his loan stint. 'When you understand football and you're good at it, it's easy to play with you on the pitch," Appuah said of the language barrier. 'Rento is a real warrior, a guy who gives his all. He's very strong in front of the goal, he brings depth, and he also has amazing leaps of movement for a guy his height.'
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints starlet scores match-winning double on loan at Valenciennes
SAINTS starlet Rento Takaoka scored a brace to help loan club Valenciennes secure their first win of the 2025/26 season. Japan youth international Takaoka scored twice in five minutes as Sport Republic's Valenciennes beat Le Puy 2-1 on Friday evening. Takaoka, 18, was introduced at the break to make his second appearance for the third-tier side, and found the net 25 minutes later. Mael Zogba hit back three minutes later for visitors Le Puy before Takaoka capped off a crazy five minutes by scoring the winner. Having run off the shoulder of two defenders, the teenager remained composed to slot past the onrushing goalkeeper. The win lifts Valenciennes to sixth place in the Championnat National after a win and a draw in their first two fixtures. Following Takaoka's move to France, head of group talent strategy Andy Goldie said: "Rento's loan arrival at Valenciennes is an important step in our youth development strategy. "Rento is a young talent we recruited from Japan. He's a Japanese international who played in the U17 World Cup last year. Valenciennes is a great environment to help him progress."
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Japanese striker Takaoka leaves Southampton on loan
Southampton's Japan youth international striker Rento Takaoka has joined French side Valenciennes on a season-long loan. The 18-year-old moves to the French third-tier having yet to make a first team, appearance for Saints. He moved to the south coast in March after turning 18, having impressed at the 2023 Under-17 World Cup. He is the fifth player to leave St Mary's on loan this summer. Latest Southampton news and analysis Listen to Southampton content on BBC Sounds
Yahoo
06-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints forward joins Sport Republic's Valenciennes on season-long loan
YOUNG Saints forward Rento Takaoka has joined Sport Republic sister club Valenciennes on a season-long loan. The Japan youth international, who joined the club earlier this year from Nissho Gakuen High School, will now spend the 2025/26 season in the French Championnat National. Takaoka, who is yet to play senior football in his burgeoning career, has trained with the third-tier outfit during pre-season. He is set to play for the club's 'reserve' team and will become the first Japanese player to represent Valenciennes. READ: The Saints academy talents to look out for during 2025/26 season Andy Goldie, head of group talent strategy at Southampton, said: "Rento's loan arrival at Valenciennes is an important step in our youth development strategy. "Rento is a young talent we recruited from Japan. He's a Japanese international who played in the U17 World Cup last year. "Valenciennes is a great environment to help him progress this season." Simon Raux, director of the VAFC training centre, added: "Rento's arrival is truly symbolic in relation to the Sport Republic group and the mutualisation between the clubs. Valenciennes and Saints played a pre-season friendly against each other last month. (Image: Southampton FC/Matt Watson) "There was the departure of Joachim Kayi Sanda last year to Southampton, and this year, there is Rento's loan to VAFC. "It's an enriching experience for all the players and all the parties." A statement from Saints added: "The club wishes Rento well for the coming season and looks forward to following his progress." Takaoka is the second Saints youngster to join Valenciennes this summer, following defender Derrick Abu, who joined on a free transfer at the end of his contract at St Mary's.
BBC News
06-08-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Japanese striker Takaoka leaves Southampton on loan
Southampton's Japan youth international striker Rento Takaoka has joined French side Valenciennes on a season-long 18-year-old moves to the French third-tier having yet to make a first team, appearance for Saints. He moved to the south coast in March after turning 18, having impressed at the 2023 Under-17 World Cup. He is the fifth player to leave St Mary's on loan this summer.
