UEFA Cup success, a example for Ueda

Soccereco, Staff Writer

Published: 11:09, 9 Aug 2023

On Monday, Ayase Ueda awaited his first encounter with the press. The 24-year-old record purchase, like every other Japanese, is aware of the success that compatriot Shinji Ono previously achieved at Feyenoord.

I felt honored that he participated in the video for my presentation at Feyenoord," Ueda said during his first press conference as a Feyenoord player. "Ono won the UEFA Cup here, and I would also like to achieve something similar, that seems logical to me.

However, Ono is not the foundation for Ueda's choice to prefer Feyenoord over Sevilla and Sporting. "He is not the reason I chose Feyenoord. It's true that there was interest from other clubs, but the people from Feyenoord kept reaching out and expressing how much they wanted to have me. That showed so much confidence, which influenced my decision."

Feyenoord, where Japanese player Ryo Miyaichi also made a name for himself in the past, hopes to have Ueda available as early as Sunday against Fortuna Sittard. Ueda can train and play as soon as his work permit is ready; the club anticipates this to be the case by Thursday.