SC Freiburg have reached an agreement to sign Rihito Yamamoto from Belgian Pro League side VV St. Truiden for a reported fee of €8 million, according to multiple reports from Het Nieuwsblad, Onze Mondial, and transfer specialist Sacha Tavolieri. The 24-year-old Japanese midfielder is set to move to the Bundesliga ahead of the upcoming season, bolstering Freiburg’s options in the centre of the park.
Yamamoto joined St. Truiden in January 2023 from Shimizu S-Pulse in his native Japan, quickly establishing himself as a key player for the Belgian club. He featured in 38 matches across all competitions during the 2025/26 campaign, directly contributing to 12 goals with five strikes and seven assists. His performances have attracted attention from several clubs across Europe, with Olympique Lyonnais and VfL Wolfsburg also reportedly expressing interest in acquiring his services.
Freiburg are looking to build upon their recent successes, having qualified for the Champions League last season and consistently challenging at the top end of the Bundesliga table. The addition of Yamamoto provides coach Christian Streich with another dynamic midfield option, capable of both creating chances and contributing goals. The club has a reputation for developing young talent, and the Japanese international will likely be seen as a player with significant potential for growth within the Freiburg system.
VV St. Truiden will be losing a valuable asset, but the €8 million fee represents a significant return on their investment in Yamamoto. The club will now need to identify suitable replacements to maintain their competitiveness in the Belgian Pro League. For Yamamoto, the move to Freiburg offers the opportunity to test himself in one of Europe’s top five leagues and further his development as a professional footballer. His arrival at the Europa-Park Stadion could provide a creative spark and increased attacking threat to Freiburg’s midfield, potentially aiding their pursuit of continued success both domestically and in European competition.
Yamamoto’s versatility and ability to operate in multiple midfield positions will be particularly appealing to Streich, who often rotates his squad and demands tactical flexibility from his players. The transfer is expected to be completed pending a medical examination and the finalisation of personal terms.
