Daisuke Yokota leaves KAA Gent for permanent move to Hannover 96

Japanese midfielder Daisuke Yokota, 25, has left KAA Gent permanently to join German 2. Bundesliga side Hannover 96 after two seasons on loan in Germany. The transfer was confirmed by KAA Gent on Tuesday, noting that Hannover exercised their purchase option after a loan spell.

Ivan Leko, head coach of KAA Gent, had expressed a desire for a more active summer market. He previously relied on Wilfried Kanga as the sole summer signing.

Since then, defenders Siebe Van der Heyden and Hatim Essaouabi arrived, while goalkeeper Kjell Peersman was recruited to add competition. At the same time, the club faced the exits of Tsuyoshi Watanabe, Archie Brown, Jordan Torunarigha, Andrew Hjulsager, Pieter Gerkens and Nurio Fortuna.

Daisuke Yokota arrived from Poland in the winter of 2024 but never established himself at the Ghelamco Arena. He made thirteen appearances for KAA Gent, scoring one goal and providing three assists.

Prior to his stint at Gent, Yokota spent two seasons on loan in Germany, most recently with FC Kaiserslautern, where he recorded four goals and three assists in twenty‑five matches. His loan to Hannover 96 this season featured thirteen games for the Buffalos.

Hannover 96 confirmed that the option to buy Yokota, a 25‑year‑old Japanese winger, had been triggered, though the fee was not disclosed. The club noted that he departs the Planet Group Arena to continue his career in the German second division, wishing him an excellent season.