Keito Kumashiro’s big move from Roasso Kumamoto to Eintracht Frankfurt
Centre Circle have confirmed via their social channels that Japanese forward Keito Kumashiro is joining Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga, marking a major step in the 18-year-old’s career.
“Congratulations to Keito Kumashiro on joining Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga. We are looking forward to this exciting new chapter.” – Centre Circle
The move continues Eintracht’s strategy of targeting emerging talent from Japan and Asia. Local and German reports indicate that Kumashiro will initially be integrated around Eintracht’s U21 and development setup, with the clear intention of preparing him for first-team football in one of Europe’s most demanding leagues.
Breakthrough at Roasso Kumamoto
Born in October 2007 in Kumamoto, Kumashiro came through the youth system at Roasso Kumamoto, signing his first professional deal with the J2 club in early 2024.
He quickly progressed from academy prospect to first-team regular. By the time the Eintracht move was agreed, he had produced a genuine breakout campaign in Japan’s second tier, registering 8 goals in 21 league appearances for Roasso Kumamoto and adding further minutes in cup competitions.
Coaches in Japan have highlighted his direct movement off the ball and penalty-box instincts and timing of runs. Plus his willingness to press from the front and work without the ball
Those qualities, combined with his physical profile and scope for development, made him an attractive target for European recruitment departments looking for the next wave of Japanese attacking talent.
From J2 League to the Bundesliga pathway
Eintracht Frankfurt’s sporting leadership has been explicit in recent seasons about building value by identifying and developing young players from outside Europe’s traditional hotbeds. The signing of Kumashiro fits squarely into that model.
Centre Circle and Matthew Moore – the agency behind the move
Who are Centre Circle?
Centre Circle (often known as Centre Circle Consulting Ltd) is a football agency with a strong track record in cross-border transfers and career planning for players moving between Europe, Africa, North America and Asia. The agency has been involved in a number of high-profile deals over the years, including support on moves involving international stars such as Christian Pulisic earlier in his European career.
Centre Circle’s approach focuses on placing young players in environments that maximise their development rather than simply chasing the biggest immediate contract.
Matthew Moore – owner and deal-maker
The owner of the agency, Matthew Moore, is a long-standing intermediary who has worked extensively with clubs in Europe and beyond, especially on pathways for talent coming out of Africa and other emerging markets. Moore has been cited in several transfer stories as the key mediator behind players securing moves to competitive European leagues.
With Kumashiro, Centre Circle and Moore are again operating in a space they know well: helping a young player navigate the cultural, linguistic and footballing jump from his home environment to a major European club.
Why Kumashiro’s transfer matters
A signal of confidence in Japanese talent
Kumashiro’s move is another sign of how highly European clubs now rate Japanese academy products. Bundesliga clubs in particular have built a strong track record of recruiting from Japan, trusting the technical level and work ethic of players coming through the J League system.
A statement for Centre Circle
For Centre Circle, successfully placing an 18-year-old striker at Eintracht Frankfurt showcases the agency’s positioning as a specialist in international career pathways.
It also shows clubs that Centre Circle’s scouting and player development recommendations can stand up at Bundesliga level.
