UDN SPORTS
Japan–Europe Bridge
Japan €90mm
Key Facts
Also known as: 株式会社UDN SPORTS; UDN Sports
Founded: 2017
Headquarters: #808 Holland Hills Mori Tower RoP, 5-11-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, 105-0001 Tokyo, Japan
Players: ~140 (68 in 1st tiers), total market value ~ €90mm
FIFA/FA registration: FIFA-licensed / JFA-registered intermediaries on staff
Languages: Japanese; English
Regions covered: Japan; Europe (Germany, Belgium, Netherlands, Switzerland, England)
Email: football@udnsports.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/udnsports/
X: https://x.com/UDNSPORTS
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UDNSPORTS.JPN/
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About
Tokyo-based UDN SPORTS is a multi-sport management company with a strong football arm focused on moving Japanese talent into Europe and supporting European placements in the J.League. The group blends relationship-driven negotiation with data support—partnering with StatsBomb since 2021—and runs social-impact work through UDN FOUNDATION. Recent activity clusters in the Bundesliga, Belgian Pro League, Eredivisie and Swiss Super League.
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Key People
CEO/Founder: Rikiya Banno (伴野 力哉), Representative Director/President
Managing Director / Head of Football: Not publicly disclosed
Licensed agents: Kunihiro Fujita; Jun Sonoda; Yoshiki Nakajima; Ken Lambert; Kento Koike
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Client Roster
Top players (current): Kaishu Sano (1. FSV Mainz 05); Tatsuhiro Sakamoto (Coventry City); Kodai Sano (NEC Nijmegen); Keigo Tsunemoto (FC Basel); Takahiro Akimoto (OH Leuven); Yosuke Ideguchi (Vissel Kobe)
Rising talents / U23: Kodai Sano (NEC Nijmegen); Hayato Tanaka (Kashiwa Reysol); Taiga Hata (Sint-Truidense VV)
Notable former clients: Not publicly disclosed.
Coaches/Staff represented (if any): Tomoaki Makino (Shinagawa CC Yokohama)
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Notable Deals
2024 — Kaishu Sano: Kashima Antlers → 1. FSV Mainz 05; permanent; undisclosed fee; contract to 2028.
2025 — Keigo Tsunemoto: Servette → FC Basel; permanent; reported ~€1.9m; contract to 2028.
2024 — Takahiro Akimoto: Urawa Reds → OH Leuven; loan (Jan) then permanent (July); contract to 2027.
2024 — Rihito Yamamoto: Gamba Osaka → Sint-Truidense VV; permanent (after loan); reported ~€1.0m.
2025 — Taiga Hata: Shonan Bellmare → Sint-Truidense VV; permanent; fee undisclosed.
2023 — Tatsuhiro Sakamoto: KV Oostende → Coventry City; permanent; three-year deal.
2023 — Kodai Sano: Fagiano Okayama → NEC Nijmegen; permanent; contract to 2028.
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Services
Contract negotiation; transfers/loans; image rights & sponsorships; PR/branding; legal/tax; relocation; performance/analytics scouting; wellbeing & injury management; post-career planning.
Partner Network
European pathways in Bundesliga, Jupiler Pro League, Eredivisie, Swiss Super League; J.League clubs and academies; StatsBomb analytics; local legal/medical/marketing partners.
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Track Record (last 3 seasons)
Total transfers completed: 7+
Deals ≥ €10m: 0
Clients in top-5 leagues: 1
National team clients: Japan (senior and youth)
Renewal/extension deals: Not publicly disclosed.
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Approach & Philosophy
UDN prioritises bridging Japanese talent to Europe through well-scouted, stepwise moves and strong club relationships in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. A compact agent team works alongside analysts to profile prospects and de-risk transfers, while off-pitch support (branding, language, relocation) smooths adaptation. Negotiations emphasise sustainable pathways, resale potential and club fit to maximise long-term career value.
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Fees & Transparency
Not publicly disclosed. Agents operate under JFA/FIFA frameworks; elements of FIFA’s FFAR (e.g., commission caps) remain partially suspended pending EU proceedings.
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Compliance & Reputation
Disciplinary actions / sanctions: None publicly recorded.
Litigation / disputes: None notable in public domain.
Media sentiment: Neutral to positive — features in major Japanese media and social-impact initiatives via UDN FOUNDATION.
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Awards/recognition
No formal awards publicly listed; recognised for analytics adoption and social-impact work.
