“Big coup for the club”: Auckland FC sign on Japan veteran Sakai for maiden A-League season

Auckland FC have lured their biggest fish to date, as they look to round out their roster for their inaugural A-League campaign.

The A-League newcomers have signed on former Japan international Hiroki Sakai, a veteran of three World Cups and two Olympic Games.

Over the span of a decade, the 34-year-old defender earned 72 caps with the Blue Samurai, his last coming at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. He joins the Black Knights from J-League heavyweights Urawa Red Diamonds.

Sakai has spent the majority of his career with France's Marseille, playing 142 games for the Ligue 1 side, helping them to the Europa League final in 2018.

Prior to that, he was with the Bundesliga's Hannover 96, who he represented on 92 occasions.

Auckland FC head coach Steve Corica says he's delighted to win what he claims was a hotly contested race for Sakai's services.

"Hiroki is a highly regarded, extremely hard-working and technically gifted player who covers an undeliverable amount of ground," Corica said. "Tactically he is also a very well-disciplined player.

"It is a big coup for the football club. There were several teams vying for his signature.

"We can't wait to see him training with the boys and will do all we can to help him settle into life in Auckland."

Sakai says he's eager to get his young family settled in Tāmaki Makaurau and get down to work with his new club.

"I've heard Auckland is an amazing city to live in and I have always wanted to play in the A-League," he said.

"I had made the choice to pursue new goals and challenges, so when this opportunity came up, it was a natural career progression for me and the right move for my young family."

Sakai's addition brings the Auckland FC roster to 17 players, as they build towards the start of the 2024/25 season on October 18.