Sint-Truiden’s Japanese midfielder continues to entertain for the Canaries

Ryotaro Ito scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season as Sint-Truiden came back from 2-0 down to beat KV Mechelen 3-2 on Friday evening. The 26-year-old midfielder came off the bench to make a huge impact to keep up the sides chances of winning play-off two and having a shot at European football.

Ito has been one of the most entertaining players to watch in the Pro League this season. His technical ability has shone through and he has fitted seamlessly into the attacking possession based game that head coach Thorsten Fink has brought to the club. Sint-Truiden signed Ito in the summer from Albirex Niigata in the J League and he has taken to Belgian football with ease. The midfielder has six goals and two assists so far this season.

For a side that many expected to be in and around the relegation zone, Sint-Truiden have proven all the doubters wrong and Ito has been a major part of that. He is just one goal away from matching his J League performance in 2023, where he scored seven goals and provided four assists in 17 games. His best season with in the J2 League back in 2022, where he scored nine goals and provided 11 assists in 42 games.