Name: Ryo Miyaichi
Age: 18
Position: Forward
Nation: Japan
Club: Chukyodai Chuyko High School
Born in Okazaki, near Nagoya, Ryo Miyaichi turned 18 on December
14, 2010. A product of the Japanese High School soccer system, he
hit the headlines worldwide for being praised by Arsenal manager
Arsene Wenger, the man who has convinced him to sign with Arsenal
in January.
During the summer of 2009, at the age of 16, Miyaiichi visited
Europe and played trial games with the Gunners and later with Ajax
in The Netherlands. He impressed on both occasions, alas, during
the tryout with the Amsterdam club, he was hit hard and suffered a
double fracture to his leg.
Miyaichi has been often compared to Thierry Henry and Cristiano
Ronaldo for his quick runs up the field, spiced-up by unpredictable
feints and tricks with the ball.
While such comparisons are too often exaggerated, it is hard not to
note similarities in the style of play and in the self-confidence
boasted by the Portuguese superstar and the young Japanese.
Miyaichi has been summoned for Japanese national teams since the
age of 13 and participated in the ill-fated adventure of the
under-17s at the World Cup in Nigeria during an intense 2009.
In the tournament, Japan impressed at times, but lost three games
out of three. Despite suffering a premature injury set-back,
Miyaichi is now an integral part of the under-19 national team
group.
Miyaichi is expected to sign a five-year deal with Arsenal and his
full recovery from injury is expected by early 2011, when he will
also graduate from school.
Wenger had some words for Miyaichi upon his visit to Europe, “Your
home is here [at Arsenal,] get well soon and begin to learn
English,” said the Frenchman, who enjoys great popularity in Japan,
having guided Nagoya Grampus for a season and a half in the early
90s.
Watch a video of Miyaichi in action:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44ixwSmaYYY&feature=player_embedded