Tatsuki Seko opens up on Stoke City move and what he can bring to Steven Schumacher plans
Deadline day signing Tatsuki Seko talks about his strengths as a player as he settles into life at Stoke City
Deadline day signing Tatsuki Seko believes he can slot into the quick and front-foot type of football that Steven Schumacher is trying to get Stoke City playing this season.
Seko, aged 26, has joined on a three-year deal from Kawasaki Frontale and joined in training with his new teammates for the first time during the international break. He has spent his career so far in the J-League but grew up watching English football – including Stoke in the Premier League – and is confident he will suit a new culture.
“I see attacking football, or rather quick forward play, as one of my strengths so I think I will fit in well,” he said. “I really think that passing is my strongest point, whether it’s short passes or long passes, and I’d like people to see that.”
He added: “(Jon Walters and Stoke’s recruitment team) talked about the strengths of this team and what they what they want to achieve and I thought I could contribute to that.
“Also, I want to show what I can do as an individual to the fullest extent. When I was in middle and high school I remember the club being in the Premier League and I have the impression that it’s a truly great club.”
Seko joins a reshaped midfield department, with Bosun Lawal, Andrew Moran and Sol Sidibe joining Wouter Burger and Jordan Thompson in the first team picture this season, with Ben Pearson currently recovering from surgery.
He is looking forward to linking with a new-look forward line too as Million Manhoef and Bae Junho are joined by Tom Cannon, Sam Gallagher and Emre Tezgel.
“I think there are a lot of young and very dynamic players and many of them can really score goals,” said Seko in an interview for the club. I want to assist them with my passes and contribute to the goals.