Football Season Guide

Vegalta were a game away from the top flight last year. They grabbed the final place in the play-offs and reached the final only to suffer a defeat against Fagiano Okayama. As a team Vegalta didn’t excel in anything in 2024. They had the 9th best scoring record and the 11th best defensive one. Yet the 15 goals scored by the loanee Motohiko Nakajima were vital. He was a true talisman with Vegalta achieving 10 of their 18 league wins when Nakajima was on the scoresheet. Unfortunately, for Vegalta after such a great season Nakajima was recalled by his parent club. Finding a new prolific striker was the primary goal this winter. Vegalta looked abroad for that. Gustavo Santos arrived from Austria. Hopes are he and the unconvincing last term Eron, just 4 goals in 32 appearances, will be effective enough. Important defenders Koide and Uchida also left this off-season. Yet Vegalta did decisive moves to turn the loans of Okuyama and Saneto into permanent moves. They will be key figures at the back in 2025. Yuta Goke played in all 40 games last season and he remains the heartbeat of the midfield line. Everything revolves around Goke in this area of the pitch. He lacked quality help at times last year but this might change. The signings of Hidetoshi Takeda and Shunta Araki bring quality and experience to the midfield. Both should be starting often next to Goke.