Australian Premier League
New Armies (modernized Qing armies, trained and equipped according Western standards)
Oakland FC
It's official, the former Japan international
Hiroki Sakai
Officially joining the team. This signing adds a lot of intrigue to the upcoming 2024-25 season.
Born in 1990, Hiroki Sakai is an important figure in Japanese soccer. He played for Bundesliga's Hannover and Ligue 1's Marseille and showed great performance in these two European powerhouses. Previously, he played for Urawa Red Diamonds in the J-League and contributed many key moments for the team.
At the national team level, Hiroki Sakai has gained a wealth of international experience by making 74 appearances for the Japanese national team, taking part in three World Cups in 2014, 2018 and 2022.
Auckland FC was established in March this year and will be playing in the 2024-25 Australian Super League season as a new team. As a newly formed team, Auckland FC hopes to improve their squad by bringing in experienced players, and the addition of Hiroki Sakai is certainly an important part of their efforts.
Hiroki Sakai's arrival will inject experience and strength into Auckland FC's defense, as well as bringing a wealth of international experience and professionalism to the team. His leadership and on-field presence will have a positive impact on the younger players, helping the team to gain a foothold in the new season.
Hiroki Sakai is looking forward to joining Auckland FC: "I am very excited to join Auckland FC. The team has a clear goal and vision and I am looking forward to working with my teammates to achieve good results in the new season. I believe we can show great performance in the Australian Super League."
