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Ritsu Dōan
Ritsu Dōan
Ritsu Dōan
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Ritsu Dōan (堂安 律, Dōan Ritsu; born 16 June 1998)[2] is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt and the Japan national team.

Key Information

Club career

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Gamba Osaka

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Coming through the youth system, Dōan joined J1 League club Gamba Osaka in 2015.[citation needed] On 27 May, he debuted against FC Seoul in the 2015 AFC Champions League.[citation needed] In 2016, he mainly played for their Gamba Osaka's newly-established reserve team Gamba Osaka U-23 in the J3 League.[3]

Groningen

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In June 2017, Dōan moved to Eredivisie club FC Groningen on loan with an option to purchase on a three-year contract.[citation needed] The option was exercised on 23 April 2018, and Dōan transferred to Groningen on a permanent basis on 1 July 2018.[4]

On 15 April 2018, against Roda, Dōan scored his eighth goal of the season, equaling the total of goals Arjen Robben scored as a teenager for Groningen.[5]

PSV Eindhoven

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Dōan joined PSV Eindhoven on a five-year contract in 2019.[6]

Loan to Arminia Bielefeld

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In September 2020, he moved on loan to Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld for the 2020–21 season.[6] Dōan made his debut in the opening game of the season, a 1–1 draw against Eintracht Frankfurt.[citation needed] Dōan scored his first goal for Bielefeld in a 4–1 home defeat against Bayern Munich.[7]

SC Freiburg

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On 5 July 2022, SC Freiburg announced that they had signed Dōan ahead of the 2022–23 season.[8] Later that year, he scored his first goal for the club on 6 August, in a 4–0 win versus Augsburg.[9] In the 2024–25 season, he became his club's top scorer with 10 goals, all scored in the Bundesliga.[10]

Eintracht Frankfurt

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On 7 August 2025, Dōan joined fellow Bundesliga side Eintracht Frankfurt by signing a contract until 2030.[11]

International career

[edit]

Youth

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In May 2017, Dōan was elected Japan national under-20 team for the 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played full-time in all four matches and scored three goals.[12]

Senior

[edit]

On 30 August 2018, Dōan received his first international call-up from the Japan national team for the Kirin Challenge Cup 2018.[13] He started his debut appearance in a friendly match against Costa Rica on 11 September 2018, and scored his debut goal in a friendly match against Uruguay on 16 October 2018.[citation needed]

He was called-up by Hajime Moriyasu to represent Japan in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He featured in Japan's first match of the competition against Germany on 23 November 2022, being subbed on in the second half while Japan was 1–0 down. Dōan scored the equalizer four minutes after coming on as his side later went on to win the game 2–1.[14] In an almost identical turn of events, he was subbed on in the second half of Japan's final group stage match against Spain on 1 December 2022 while Japan was 1–0 down, and scored the equalizer two minutes after coming on as his side later went on to win 2–1. The win ultimately qualified Japan for the tournament's knockout stages as group winners.[15]

Career statistics

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Club

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As of match played 9 November 2025[16][2]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] League cup[b] Continental Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Gamba Osaka 2015 J1 League 2 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1[c] 0 4 0
2016 J1 League 3 0 1 0 0 0 1[d] 0 0 0 5 0
2017 J1 League 10 3 0 0 0 0 6[d] 1 — 16 4
Total 15 3 1 0 1 0 7 1 1 0 25 4
Groningen (loan) 2017–18 Eredivisie 29 9 2 1 — — — 31 10
Groningen 2018–19 Eredivisie 30 5 1 0 — — 2[e] 0 33 5
2019–20 Eredivisie 2 1 — — — — 2 1
Total 32 6 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 35 6
PSV Eindhoven 2019–20 Eredivisie 19 2 2 0 — 4[f] 0 — 25 2
2021–22 Eredivisie 24 8 5 2 — 10[g] 1 — 39 11
Total 43 10 7 2 0 0 14 1 0 0 64 13
Arminia Bielefeld (loan) 2020–21 Bundesliga 34 5 1 0 — — — 35 5
SC Freiburg 2022–23 Bundesliga 33 5 5 1 — 7[f] 1 — 45 7
2023–24 Bundesliga 30 7 2 0 — 10[f] 2 — 42 9
2024–25 Bundesliga 34 10 2 0 — — — 36 10
Total 97 22 9 1 0 0 17 3 0 0 123 26
Eintracht Frankfurt 2025–26 Bundesliga 10 3 2 2 — 3[h] 0 — 15 5
Career total 260 58 23 6 1 0 41 5 3 0 328 69
  1. ^ Includes Emperor's Cup, KNVB Cup, DFB-Pokal
  2. ^ Includes J.League Cup
  3. ^ Appearance in J1 League championship stage
  4. ^ a b Appearance(s) in AFC Champions League
  5. ^ Appearances in Eredivisie European play-offs
  6. ^ a b c Appearances in UEFA Europa League
  7. ^ Four appearances in UEFA Europa League, six appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa Conference League
  8. ^ Appearances in UEFA Champions League

International

[edit]
As of match played 18 November 2025[17]
Appearances and goals by national team and year
National team Year Apps Goals
Japan 2018 5 1
2019 13 2
2020 2 0
2021 1 0
2022 12 2
2023 8 2
2024 14 3
2025 7 1
Total 62 11
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Dōan goal.[17]
List of international goals scored by Ritsu Dōan
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition
1. 16 October 2018 Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan  Uruguay 3–2 4–3 2018 Kirin Challenge Cup
2. 9 January 2019 Al Nahyan Stadium, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates  Turkmenistan 3–1 3–2 2019 AFC Asian Cup
3. 24 January 2019 Al Maktoum Stadium, Dubai, United Arab Emirates  Vietnam 1–0 1–0 2019 AFC Asian Cup
4. 23 November 2022 Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar  Germany 1–1 2–1 2022 FIFA World Cup
5. 1 December 2022 Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar  Spain 1–1 2–1
6. 15 June 2023 Toyota Stadium, Toyota, Japan  El Salvador 4–0 6–0 2023 Kirin Challenge Cup
7. 16 November 2023 Suita City Football Stadium, Suita, Japan  Myanmar 5–0 5–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
8. 31 January 2024 Al Thumama Stadium, Doha, Qatar  Bahrain 1–0 3–1 2023 AFC Asian Cup
9. 6 June 2024 Thuwunna Stadium, Yangon, Myanmar  Myanmar 2–0 5–0 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification
10. 11 June 2024 Edion Peace Wing Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan  Syria 2–0 5–0
11. 14 November 2025 Toyota Stadium, Toyota, Japan  Ghana 2–0 2–0 2025 Kirin Challenge Cup

Honours

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PSV

Japan U19

Japan

Individual

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Ritsu Dōan

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Ritsu Dōan (born 16 June 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a right winger for Bundesliga club and the national team. Standing at 1.72 meters and favoring his left foot, he is known for his pace, skills, and goal-scoring ability from wide positions. Dōan began his with local clubs Urakaze FC and Soccer School before joining 's academy in 2011. He made his senior debut for in May 2015 at the age of 16 years and 344 days during a 3–2 AFC Champions League win over , becoming the club's youngest-ever first-team player. Over two seasons with , he appeared in 10 matches, scoring 3 goals, and also featured for their reserves in the (21 appearances, 10 goals). In August 2017, he transferred to Dutch club , where he spent two seasons in the , making 59 appearances and scoring 14 goals with 7 assists. He then joined on loan in August 2019 (later made permanent), contributing 10 goals in 43 games across two seasons, along with appearances in the . He spent the 2020–21 season on loan at club , making 25 appearances and scoring 2 goals. before he signed with in July 2022 for €8.5 million. At Freiburg, Dōan established himself as a key player, amassing 127 appearances with 27 goals and 21 assists, plus 3 goals in 22 Europa League matches over three full seasons. In August 2025, he moved to on a five-year contract until 2030 for a reported €22 million transfer fee, marking his latest step in a career that has seen him play over 350 professional matches and score 76 goals across all competitions. Internationally, Dōan represented at youth levels, winning the Asian Youth Player of the Year award in 2016 and scoring 3 goals at the to help reach the knockout stages. He made his senior debut for the national team on 11 September 2018 and, as of November 2025, has earned 61 caps with 11 goals. A highlight came at the in , where he scored decisive goals against (2–1 win) and (as a substitute in a 2–1 victory), assisting 's dramatic comeback to advance from the group stage to the round of 16 for the first time since 2010.

Early life

Upbringing and family

Ritsu Dōan was born on 16 June 1998 in , , , a modest industrial city west of . As the youngest of three brothers, Dōan was heavily influenced by his older siblings, who were passionate about football and introduced him to the sport. His eldest brother joined a local club to make friends, the second followed suit, and Dōan, eager to emulate them, began kicking a ball at age three by tagging along to their practices. One of his brothers, Yu Dōan, pursued a professional career as a defensive , playing for clubs including Youth and AC Nagano Parceiro in Japan's . Dōan's parents, both Japanese, fostered a supportive home environment. They instilled in him a strong , often playing football with his brothers every afternoon, which helped build his competitive drive—though he later recalled his siblings making him cry during intense backyard matches, motivating him to practice harder. This familial foundation in shaped his early passion for the game, leading him to join local youth teams like Urakaze FC Amagasaki shortly thereafter.

Youth football development

Dōan began his youth football journey in his hometown of , Hyogo Prefecture, joining local club Urakaze FC Amagasaki at the age of four, where he initially trained and later played as a forward during elementary school. He demonstrated early promise, scoring a notable goal in a that drew comparisons to from his coach, though detailed records of his time there remain limited. After failing selection for Cerezo Osaka's academy in , he joined Soccer School in 2005 at age seven, a more structured academy, where he honed his skills as an elementary school player. In 2007, he earned recognition as a leading scorer in regional s, including MVP honors in the Takarazuka City event. In 2011, at age 13, Dōan joined Gamba Osaka's junior youth team after rejecting an offer from rivals , marking a pivotal step in his development within a professional club's system. He adapted quickly, making the top junior squad by the fall of his first year. During his time in the junior youth (2011–2013), coaches experimented with his role, occasionally shifting him forward to address team needs, which helped build his versatility. Dōan's breakthrough came in the Gamba Osaka U-15 team during 2012, where he was part of a talented "" that achieved the club's first-ever treble at that age level, winning key regional and national youth competitions. This success underscored his growing attacking prowess and contributed to his promotion to the Youth team in 2014, at age 16. There, he trained with the senior squad as a high school , preparing for his debut the following year and solidifying his reputation as one of Japan's emerging talents.

Club career

Gamba Osaka

Ritsu Dōan joined the youth academy in 2011 after stints with Urakaze FC and Soccer School, progressing through the junior and youth teams until 2015. He was promoted to the senior squad ahead of the 2015 season, becoming part of a team that had recently achieved domestic success under manager . Dōan made his professional debut on May 27, 2015, at age 16 years and 344 days, coming on as a substitute in a 3–2 AFC Champions League group stage victory over . During the 2015 season, he featured sparingly in domestic competitions, making one appearance (0 goals) and contributing to Gamba's triumph, though his involvement was limited to squad selection rather than key matches. The team finished as runners-up in the championship playoff and reached the final, but lost 2–0 to Frontale. In 2016, Dōan's role remained peripheral amid competition for attacking positions, with three J1 League substitute appearances (29 minutes, 1 assist) as Gamba placed fourth in the first stage and sixth overall. He gained more continental exposure in the AFC Champions League, appearing in group stage fixtures, but the club exited in the round of 16. He also featured for the reserves in the , making 21 appearances and scoring 10 goals. Dōan's breakthrough came in 2017, when he emerged as a regular under new manager Kōichi Hashiratani, starting several matches and showcasing his versatility as a winger. He recorded 10 appearances (551 minutes, 3 goals), including his maiden league goal on April 21 against Omiya Ardija with a long-range strike. Other strikes against and highlighted his technical ability and finishing. In the AFC Champions League, Dōan scored twice in the group stage, notably a stunning 20-yard volley against Adelaide United on April 25—his first professional goal in the competition and a candidate for goal of the tournament—earning him AFC recognition as a rising star. Gamba advanced to the round of 16 but were eliminated by Evergrande. Overall, across all competitions from 2015 to 2017, Dōan made 25 appearances and scored 4 goals for before being loaned to in July 2017 to further his development in Europe.

FC Groningen

Dōan joined on a one-year from in June 2017, marking his first move to European football at the age of 19. He quickly adapted to the , making 29 league appearances in the 2017–18 season, during which he scored 9 goals and provided 3 assists, contributing significantly to the team's mid-table finish. His breakthrough performances, including a first goal in the against in September 2017, earned him recognition as the club's most valuable player as voted by supporters. Impressed by his development, exercised the option to make the transfer permanent in July 2018 for a reported fee of around €1.5 million. In the following 2018–19 campaign, Dōan remained a key attacking presence, featuring in all 30 league matches with 5 goals and 3 assists, helping the side secure an eighth-place standing. He added to his tally with appearances in cup competitions, including a goal in the KNVB Beker. Over his two full seasons at , spanning 66 total appearances across all competitions, Dōan recorded 16 goals and 7 assists, establishing himself as a versatile winger with strong and finishing ability. His time at the club ended in August 2019 when he transferred to for €3.5 million, shortly after scoring in his brief 2019–20 appearances.

PSV Eindhoven

Dōan transferred to from on 30 August 2019, signing a five-year contract until mid-2024. The move was valued at approximately €3.5 million, marking a significant step in his European career as a promising young winger. He made his debut for the club on 14 September 2019 in a 5–0 victory over Vitesse, coming off the bench and contributing to the team's dominant performance. In his first season (2019–20), Dōan featured in 25 appearances across all competitions, scoring 5 goals and providing 4 assists, primarily as a rotational player under manager . His contributions included notable performances in the group stage, where he assisted in matches against clubs like Manchester United. However, limited starts led to a move to in the for the 2020–21 season to gain more playing time. Upon returning for the 2021–22 campaign under Roger Schmidt, Dōan became a more integral part of the squad, making 41 appearances, scoring 11 goals, and recording 3 assists. He played a key role in PSV's runner-up finish in the , contributing offensively with goals against rivals like Ajax and . In European competition, he scored once in the and provided three assists in the Champions League qualifiers. His form highlighted his speed, dribbling, and versatility on the right wing. Dōan's most notable achievement with PSV came in the 2021–22 , where the team defeated Ajax 2–1 in the final on 17 2022 to claim the title. Although he entered as a substitute late in the match, his involvement in set-piece plays helped secure the victory, marking his first major trophy in senior club football. Overall, during his PSV tenure spanning 66 appearances, he netted 16 goals and delivered 7 assists, establishing himself as a dynamic attacker before departing. In July 2022, Dōan transferred to SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga for a fee of €8.5 million, ending his time at PSV after three years. The move allowed him to pursue regular starts in a top league, building on the experience gained in Eindhoven.

Arminia Bielefeld (loan)

On 5 September 2020, PSV Eindhoven loaned Ritsu Dōan to newly promoted Bundesliga side Arminia Bielefeld for the 2020–21 season, allowing the 22-year-old Japanese international to gain top-flight experience in Germany following limited opportunities at PSV. Dōan, who had joined PSV from FC Groningen earlier that year, was seen as a key addition to bolster Bielefeld's attack amid their return to the Bundesliga after six years in lower divisions. Dōan made his Bundesliga debut on 19 September 2020, starting as a right winger in 's 0–0 draw against at home. He quickly adapted, becoming a regular starter and 's primary creative threat on the right flank, often cutting inside to deliver crosses or shots with his left foot. Over the season, Dōan featured in 34 matches, starting 33 and accumulating 2,768 minutes, while recording 5 goals and 2 assists. His contributions were pivotal in a campaign where battled relegation, finishing 15th and securing survival via a playoff victory over Werder Bremen. Among his highlights, Dōan scored his first Bundesliga goal on 17 October 2020, netting a counter-attack strike in the 58th minute during a 1–4 home loss to Bayern Munich, briefly giving hope against the champions. He followed with a left-footed equalizer against on 21 November 2020 (2–1 win) and a late right-footed consolation in a 3–0 defeat to on 9 January 2021. Further goals came against Bayer Leverkusen (1–2 loss on 20 February 2021) and in the crucial 0–2 away win over on 22 May 2021, where his 72nd-minute strike helped seal 's safety. These efforts, including three goals and two assists by mid-season, established him as 's joint-top scorer alongside captain . The loan ended on 30 June 2021, with Dōan returning to PSV after a stint that enhanced his reputation as a versatile attacker capable of performing under pressure.

SC Freiburg

Ritsu Dōan joined on 4 July 2022, transferring from for a fee of €8.5 million and signing a four-year contract. He quickly adapted to the , making his debut as a substitute on 6 August 2022 in a 4–0 away win against , where he scored the fourth goal just three minutes after entering the pitch. Dōan also netted in his first appearance that season, helping Freiburg advance in the cup. In the 2022–23 Bundesliga season, Dōan became a regular starter on the right wing, featuring in 29 matches and contributing 8 goals along with 4 assists, which played a role in Freiburg's eighth-place finish and qualification for the . His versatility allowed him to operate effectively in midfield or as a forward, emphasizing his and crossing abilities to create scoring opportunities for teammates. The following season, 2023–24, marked his most productive campaign at the club; Dōan appeared in 31 games, scoring 11 goals and providing 7 assists, while adding 2 goals and 1 assist across 8 Europa League matches as Freiburg reached the round of 16 before elimination by Juventus. In the , he recorded 1 goal and 1 assist in 3 outings. Dōan's form remained strong in the 2024–25 season, where he tallied 6 goals and 5 assists in 27 appearances, including a match-winning strike in a 1–0 victory over Werder Bremen in October 2024. He also contributed 1 assist in 2 games, aiding Freiburg's push for another European spot, which they secured with a fifth-place finish. Throughout his tenure, Dōan's work rate and technical prowess were instrumental in Freiburg's transition to a more attacking style under coach , establishing the club as a competitive mid-table side with consistent European involvement. On 6 August 2025, Dōan departed Freiburg for Eintracht Frankfurt in a €21 million transfer plus €1 million in performance-related add-ons, signing a five-year deal until 2030. His exit marked the end of a transformative period for the Japanese international, who had evolved into one of the Bundesliga's most reliable wide players during his three seasons with the club.

Eintracht Frankfurt

Ritsu Dōan joined from on August 7, 2025, signing a contract until June 30, 2030. The transfer was aimed at bolstering the team's attacking options, with sporting director highlighting Dōan's proven quality, including 26 goals and 23 assists in 123 appearances for Freiburg. He was assigned the number 20 shirt and quickly integrated into the squad under manager . In his debut season with during the 2025–26 campaign, Dōan established himself as a key right winger, contributing to the team's early competitiveness in multiple competitions. By November 9, 2025, he had made 14 appearances across all fronts, starting all of them and logging 1,147 minutes. His performances included 4 goals and 3 assists, demonstrating his versatility in creating and finishing chances from wide areas. Notably, in the , he featured in 9 matches, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists over 725 minutes, with a standout display on matchday 2 where he netted twice and assisted once. Dōan also saw action in the UEFA Champions League, appearing in 3 group stage matches for a total of 222 minutes, where he recorded 1 assist and maintained an 80.67% passing accuracy, while covering significant distance at an average top speed of 30.91 km/h. In the DFB-Pokal, he contributed further to his goal tally, helping Frankfurt advance in the competition. His defensive contributions were evident with 13 tackles won and strong involvement in 92 aerial duels, underscoring his all-around impact despite a single yellow card across competitions. Overall, Dōan's early form has been pivotal in Frankfurt's attacking transitions, aligning with the club's ambitions in domestic and European play.

International career

Youth career

Dōan began his international youth career with the Japan U-16 national team in 2014, where he was selected for the AFC U-16 Championship in . He made three appearances during the tournament as Japan exited in the group stage. Additionally, Dōan scored at least two goals in preparatory friendlies for the U-16 side, including a brace in a 4-4 draw against U-16. In 2016, Dōan featured prominently for the Japan U-19 team at the AFC U-19 in , playing all five matches and scoring one goal as Japan secured their first-ever title in the competition. His performances earned him the tournament's award. Later that year, Dōan was honored as the AFC Youth Player of the Year, recognizing his contributions across youth internationals. Over his U-19 tenure, he accumulated 19 appearances and five goals in total. Dōan progressed to the Japan U-20 team in 2017, featuring prominently for the side at the in . He played full-time in all four matches, scoring three goals—including one against and two against —to help advance to the round of 16 for the first time since 1999, where they fell to eventual champions . His U-20 appearances totaled five with three goals.

Senior career

Dōan earned his first call-up to the senior national team in August 2018 for the Kirin Challenge Cup. He made his debut on 11 September 2018, starting as a right winger in a 3–0 friendly victory over , where he played 85 minutes before being substituted. Although he did not score in his debut, Dōan impressed with his energy and direct play on the right flank, marking the beginning of his integration into the Samurai Blue squad under coach . Dōan's breakthrough came shortly after, as he scored his first international goal on 16 October 2018 in a thrilling 4–3 friendly win against , finishing neatly after a quick counter-attack. He built on this momentum at the in the , where reached the quarter-finals. Dōan appeared in all five of 's matches, starting four, and contributed two goals: a goal in a 3–2 group-stage victory over on 9 January 2019, and the decisive winner in a 1–0 round-of-16 triumph against on 24 January 2019. His performances earned praise for his pressing and ability to exploit spaces, though exited the tournament with a 3–0 loss to in the quarter-finals. Dōan solidified his role during the qualifiers and the tournament itself in , featuring prominently in the Asian qualification rounds. At the , Dōan played in all four of Japan's matches as they advanced to the round of 16 for the first time since 2010. He netted the equalizing goal in a historic 2–1 comeback victory over on 23 , heading in a cross from in the 75th minute, and repeated the feat with another leveler in the 2–1 upset against on 1 December , helping Japan top Group E despite a final-16 loss to . These strikes highlighted his knack for dramatic interventions in high-stakes games. Post-World Cup, Dōan continued as a regular, contributing to Japan's dominant campaign in the third round of AFC qualifiers. He scored in friendly wins, such as against (6–0) on 15 June 2023, and added goals in qualifiers including goals against in 5–0 wins on 16 November 2023 and 6 June 2024, one against (7–0 on 5 September 2024). At the , he featured but scored once in a 3–1 round-of-16 win over on 31 January 2024, as Japan reached the quarter-finals before falling to on penalties. By November 2025, Dōan had accumulated 60 caps, 10 goals, and 4 assists for Japan, establishing himself as a key attacking option with his versatility across the forward line and right wing.

Playing style

Technical skills

Ritsu Dōan is renowned for his exceptional dribbling ability, which allows him to navigate tight spaces and evade defenders effectively. During his time at FC Groningen in the 2019/20 season, he attempted 7.65 dribbles per game, completing 45.2% of them by leveraging his pace, technical flair, and maneuvers such as nutmegs and feints. For instance, in a match against PEC Zwolle, Dōan executed a quick feint to bypass a defender and provide a key assist. His close ball control and body shielding further enable him to retain possession under pressure, as demonstrated when he held off opponents to set up plays. At Arminia Bielefeld in the 2020/21 season, he ranked fourth in the Bundesliga for completed dribbles, with 72 attempts at a 50% success rate, often using speed and fakes to beat markers in one-on-one situations against teams like VfB Stuttgart and Bayern Munich. Dōan's creativity on the ball is another hallmark of his technical prowess, making him unpredictable for opposing defenses. He excels in progressive carries, recording 114 in the 2020/21 season at Arminia Bielefeld, with 41 advancing into the final third, which disrupts structured defenses and creates scoring opportunities. His passing range supports this, including 2.49 long balls per match at 55.3% accuracy during his Groningen stint, and precise through balls, such as the weighted assist for a goal against Wolfsburg. In the 2025/26 Bundesliga season with Eintracht Frankfurt, Dōan has provided three assists in ten appearances as of November 2025. His shooting technique is precise and versatile, often highlighted in high-impact moments. Dōan scored a sublime curling left-footed goal from outside the box in a 2025 match against , demonstrating his striking accuracy and composure. At , he attempted 2.12 shots per 90 minutes in 2020/21, netting three goals that exceeded his (xG) of 2.6, including pinpoint efforts against Mainz 05 and Bayern Munich. Frankfurt's Markus has praised Dōan's technical ability alongside his pace, noting his consistent contributions of 28 goals and 21 assists in 129 appearances prior to his 2025 transfer. These skills have earned him comparisons to for his finesse.

Positional versatility

Ritsu Dōan exhibits significant positional versatility, primarily within attacking and midfield roles, allowing him to adapt to various tactical systems across clubs and the Japanese national team. His primary position is as a right winger, where his left-footed technique enables him to cut inside and create scoring opportunities, but he has frequently operated on the left flank, in central attacking midfield, and as a forward. This flexibility stems from his development, where coaches utilized his technical skills and work rate to fill multiple gaps in the frontline. During his tenure at from 2017 to 2019, Dōan demonstrated this adaptability by playing in every forward position, including right winger in a 4-4-2 formation and central attacking behind the striker in a 4-2-3-1 setup during the 2019/20 season. In the latter role, he roamed as a second striker, exploiting spaces created by teammates while contributing to build-up play. This versatility was key to his 16 goals and 7 assists in 66 appearances, as he alternated between wide duties—staying open to stretch defenses or drifting centrally to link play—and more advanced central responsibilities. At SC Freiburg (2022–2025) and subsequently Eintracht Frankfurt (2025–present), Dōan has continued to showcase his multi-role capability in the Bundesliga. Statistical tracking shows him deployed as an attacking midfielder right (AMR) in 6 matches with 2 goals and 1 assist, midfielder right (MR) in 4 matches with 2 assists, and forward right (FWR) in 2 matches, averaging ratings above 7.0 in AMR. His ability to transition into deeper roles, such as right midfielder or even right wing-back in recent fixtures, underscores his tactical intelligence and endurance, making him a valuable asset in fluid attacking systems. For instance, in the 2025/26 season match logs, he featured as a wing-back on November 1, 2025, contributing defensively while maintaining offensive threats. Freiburg relied on this end-product versatility in the final third, where he recorded 27 goals and 21 assists over 127 appearances.

Personal life

Family and relationships

Dōan was born on 16 June 1998 in , , , into a supportive family environment that emphasized outdoor activities and physical engagement. He is the youngest of three brothers; his two older siblings introduced him to football at age three by inviting him to join their play, igniting his lifelong passion for the sport. His parents, described as highly active and outgoing, encouraged Dōan and his brothers to spend time outdoors rather than indoors, fostering and a team-oriented mindset from an early age. The family remains closely knit despite Dōan's professional moves abroad, with regular video calls maintaining their strong bonds. On 2 June 2024, Dōan publicly announced his to Akematsu Miku, a prominent influencer and model three years his senior, whom he had been dating since 2022; the couple had held a private in January 2024, followed by a reception in June 2025 attended by family members and several Japanese national team teammates. As of November 2025, they have no children and prioritize a low-profile focused on mutual support amid Dōan's career demands.

Interests and philanthropy

Dōan has expressed a keen interest in , earning him the "fashionista" among peers and media outlets for his stylish off-field appearances and nominations in . In 2019, he was shortlisted for the Fashion Player of the Year by Life After Football, highlighting his engagement with contemporary trends and personal style. Beyond fashion, Dōan enjoys studying languages as a hobby, having become fluent in Dutch and German during his European career. He is a fan of band and comedian Kenji Tamura, while his food preferences lean toward天津飯 (tianjin rice) and , though he avoids most vegetables. In , Dōan has made consistent contributions to children's welfare, annually donating items such as soccer balls and baseball gloves to facilities like those in Hyōgo Prefecture, a practice inspired by his mother. In December 2021, he provided desks, toys, and play equipment to the Amagasaki Gakuen and Kodomo no Ie orphanages in Hyōgo. During the in May 2020, he donated an undisclosed amount to Hyōgo Medical University Hospital to support virus countermeasures. Dōan has participated in charity events, including a 2019 Hublot-sponsored kick-target challenge that raised ¥1.6 million for the JFA Dream Field project. More recently, in August 2025, he promoted a Visa campaign donating ¥1 per online "touch" to aid recovery from the earthquake.

Career statistics

Club

The following table summarizes Dōan's domestic league appearances, goals, and assists across his club career (as of 14 November 2025; excludes cup and international club competitions for conciseness).
ClubYearsAppearancesGoalsAssists
2015–20171031
2017–201959147
2019–202243102
(loan)2020–20213452
2022–20251272721
2025–1033
Career total2836236

International

Dōan made his senior international debut for on 11 September 2018 in a friendly match against . As of his last appearance on 14 November 2025, he has earned 61 caps and scored 11 goals for the national team. His contributions include participation in major tournaments such as the and the . The following table summarizes Dōan's international statistics by competition (major tournaments only):
CompetitionAppearancesGoals
Friendlies303
163
111
42
Source: Transfermarkt (data as of 14 November 2025). Table includes major competitions only; totals encompass all senior appearances.

Honours

Club honours

Dōan won his sole club honour with in the 2021–22 season. He was part of the squad that secured the 2021–22 , defeating Ajax 2–1 in the final on 17 April 2022 at in , marking PSV's 10th title in the competition. Dōan appeared as a substitute in the match, contributing to the defensive effort in the closing stages. No further club honours have been achieved with subsequent teams Freiburg or as of November 2025.

International honours

Dōan secured his first international honour as a key member of the U-19 national team that won the , defeating 5–3 in a in the final after a 1–1 draw. During the tournament, he contributed three goals and two assists in six matches, earning the award for his pivotal role in Japan's first-ever title in the competition. His standout performances that year led to him being named the AFC Youth Player of the Year (Men's), recognizing his contributions to both club and international youth football. At the senior international level, Dōan has not yet won any major titles with the national team, despite accumulating 60 caps and 10 goals as of November 2025, including notable contributions such as scoring twice at the . He has featured in key tournaments like the 2019 and 2023 AFC Asian Cups (where Japan reached the round of 16 on both occasions), the (round of 16), and the 2020 (fourth place).

References

  1. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ritsu-doan/profil/spieler/358504
  2. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/who-is-ritsu-doan-freiburg-s-japan-lionel-messi-15385
  3. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ritsu-doan/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/358504
  4. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/ritsu-doan-joins-freiburg-from-psv-eindhoven-japan-arminia-bielefeld-20473
  5. https://www.espn.com/soccer/story/_/id/45918726/ritsu-doan-set-become-eintracht-frankfurt-latest-japanese-success-story
  6. https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/64910
  7. https://www.jleague.co/news/from-the-jleague-to-world-cup-goalscorer-ritsu-doan/
  8. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/ritsu-doan-arminia-bielefeld-manuel-neuer-bayern-munich-14302
  9. https://favsports.net/japan-football/ritsu-doan-gamba-osaka-fs
  10. https://www.straitstimes.com/sport/football/world-cup-5-things-to-know-about-japan-hero-ritsu-doan
  11. https://khelnow.com/football/2023-01-world-football-bundesliga-ritsu-doan-interview
  12. https://piece-of-japan.com/entertainment/soccer-football/ritsu-doan-earlylife-childhood.html
  13. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/420144/fc-seoul-gamba-osaka
  14. https://fbref.com/en/players/d01bbb6f/Ritsu-Doan
  15. https://www.goal.com/en-us/news/afc-champions-league-2017-rising-star-of-the-month-april---gamba-osakas-ritsu-doan/1256htzzyhj2p1a3yujd98wgaw
  16. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ritsu-doan/tordebuets/spieler/358504
  17. https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/474053
  18. https://www.besoccer.com/player/ritsu-doan
  19. https://www.marca.com/en/football/international-football/2017/06/23/594ce335468aeb35308b45e9.html
  20. https://football-tribe.com/asia/2018/05/04/column-japanese-footballs-future-becomes-the-present-with-groningens-ritsu-doan/
  21. https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/12082
  22. https://www.psv.nl/en/media/artikel/ritsu-doan-officieel-psver
  23. https://cooljapansoccer.wordpress.com/2019/08/30/doan-officially-joins-psv/
  24. https://onefootball.com/en/news/ritsu-doan-small-in-stature-big-on-achievement-41486984
  25. https://en.eintracht.de/news/ritsu-doan-kleiner-mann-mit-grossen-taten-170390/
  26. https://www.espn.com/soccer/match/_/gameId/632735/ajax-amsterdam-psv-eindhoven
  27. http://www.football-oranje.com/doan-departs-psv-for-freiburg/
  28. https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/20057
  29. https://www.getfootballnewsgermany.com/2020/official-arminia-bielefeld-loan-ritsu-doan/
  30. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ritsu-doan/transfers/spieler/358504/transfer_id/3045903
  31. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ritsu-doan/alletore/spieler/358504
  32. https://breakingthelines.com/player-analysis/player-analysis-ritsu-doan/
  33. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ritsu-doan/leistungsdaten/spieler/358504
  34. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7maaMT9d3DE
  35. https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/1953048010801193375
  36. https://english.kyodonews.net/articles/-/58844
  37. https://en.eintracht.de/news/ritsu-doan-verstaerkt-eintracht-frankfurt-170361/
  38. https://en.eintracht.de/squad/ritsu-doan/
  39. https://www.fctables.com/players/ritsu_doan-304542/
  40. https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/ritsu-doan/leistungsdatendetails/spieler/358504/wettbewerb/L1/saison/2025
  41. https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/clubs/players/250134309--ritsu-doan/
  42. https://inside.fifa.com/news/little-doan-following-in-big-footsteps-2866218
  43. https://www.jfa.jp/eng/national_team/u16_2014/news/00001269/
  44. https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/news/japans_doan_named_afc_u-19_championship_mvp.html
  45. https://www.the-afc.com/en/about_afc/afc_annual_awards/news/doan_teguramori_receive_afc_awards_in_hiroshima.html
  46. https://www.espn.co.uk/football/stats/_/league/FIFA.WORLD.U20/season/2017/fifa-under-20-world-cup
  47. https://www.transfermarkt.us/ritsu-doan/nationalmannschaft/spieler/358504
  48. https://www.timesofisrael.com/late-goals-by-japan-topple-germany-in-latest-world-cup-upset/
  49. https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/ritsu-doan-201920-scout-report-tactical-analysis-tactics
  50. https://theanalyst.com/football/player/sc-205252/ritsu-doan
  51. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/hoffenheim-eintracht-frankfurt-match-report-highlights-matchday-2-ritsu-doan-33760
  52. https://www.football-asian.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5784
  53. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-11462105/World-Cup-Ritsu-Doan-Takuma-Asano-helped-Japan-beat-Germany.html
  54. https://www.whoscored.com/players/343435/show/ritsu-doan
  55. https://www.football-asian.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=5677
  56. https://web.gekisaka.jp/news/world/detail/?409321-409321-fl
  57. https://maidonanews.jp/article/15966099
  58. https://www.daily.co.jp/en/gossip/2025/06/28/0019161066.shtml
  59. https://www.bundesliga.com/en/bundesliga/news/ritsu-doan-interview-japan-germany-world-cup-freiburg-fashionista-dream-end-to-model-season-22272
  60. https://x.com/doan_ritsu/status/1189149999440920576
  61. https://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/soccer/tokyo/player/doan_ritsu.html
  62. https://ticketjam.jp/magazine/sports/soccer/3774
  63. https://www.pasonica.com/%25E5%25A0%2582%25E5%25AE%2589%25E5%25BE%258B/
  64. https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQD25QNFQD2PTIL00P.html
  65. https://jisin.jp/sport/2154436/
  66. https://www.kobe-np.co.jp/news/hanshin/202112/0014952612.shtml
  67. https://www.daily.co.jp/soccer/2020/05/29/0013380208.shtml
  68. https://x.com/doan_ritsu/status/1955532327779697048
  69. https://www.transfermarkt.com/ritsu-doan/nationalmannschaft/spieler/358504/verein_id/3435
  70. https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_u20_asian_cup/news/uchiyama_praises_japan_stars_after_afc_u-19_championship_joy.html
  71. https://www.jfa.jp/eng/samuraiblue/member/doan_ritsu.html
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