Wolves sign Japan star Hayao Kawabe from Grasshoppers

Wolves complete their first signing of the January transfer window as Japan star Hayao Kawabe arrives from ‘feeder club’ Grasshoppers… but he is expected to return to Switzerland on loan until the end of the season

  • Wolves have made their first signing of the January window in Hayao Kawabe
  • Kawabe, 26, has impressed this season for ‘feeder club’ Grasshoppers in Zurich 
  • The Japanese has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal with the Molineux outfit 
  • He will train under Bruno Lage and is expected to return to Grasshoppers on loan


Wolves have completed their first signing of the January transfer window following the arrival of Japanese international Hayao Kawabe from Grasshoppers. 

Kawabe, 26, has impressed in the first half of the 21-22 campaign for the Swiss side, scoring four goals and providing three assists in 18 appearances from midfield. 

He joined Grasshoppers from Sanfrecce Hiroshima last summer but his strong performances have convinced Wolves to make a move, and he becomes the club’s first player from Japan.

Wolves have completed their first signing of the window in Japanese star Hayao Kawabe

Kawabe has joined on a three-and-a-half-year deal and will spend the rest of the month training under Bruno Lage’s watchful eye, before likely making a return to Grasshoppers on loan for the rest of the season.

Wolves struck up a ‘feeder club’ relationship with the Swiss side in 2020 and former midfielder Seyi Olofinjana is the club’s sporting director. 

Wolves have sent Leonardo Campana, Toti Gomes and Bendeguz Bolla to the Swiss club on loan this season. 

Wolves technical director Scott Sellars said: ‘Naturally, Hayao is a player we’ve watched a lot and he’s done really well this season.

The attacking midfielder, 26, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for the Molineux outfit

The attacking midfielder, 26, has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal for the Molineux outfit

Kawabe will train under Bruno Lage but is expected to return to Grasshoppers on a loan deal

Kawabe will train under Bruno Lage but is expected to return to Grasshoppers on a loan deal

‘He’s an attacking midfield player, very energetic, very busy, and has good quality. He’s really shone at Grasshoppers this year, and he’s one of the main reasons they’re doing so well.

‘Due to the GBE criteria for signing international players, Hayao is a player who is eligible to sign for a British club this month, but may not be in the future, which is why we’ve moved now to confirm his signing.

‘Hayao will spend January with Bruno’s group while the Swiss Super League is on a winter break, then he’ll likely return to Grasshoppers to finish the season there, as he has been an important player for them so far this season.’

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