Le Havre have completed the signing of Japanese midfielder Kaito Mizuta on a free transfer, the club confirmed to L’Équipe. The 26-year-old has agreed to a three-year contract with the Ligue 1 side, arriving after a productive season in Germany’s third tier.
Mizuta joins Le Havre after a single season with Rot-Weiss Essen, where he registered nine goals and twelve assists. Despite his individual contributions, Essen were unable to secure promotion to 2. Bundesliga, falling short in the play-off against Greuther Fürth. He becomes the second Japanese player to represent Le Havre, following Ayumu Seko.
Born in Tokyo, Mizuta spent the majority of his professional career in Germany, having previously played for SV 19 Straelen, the reserve team of Mainz 05, and Arminia Bielefeld. He has gradually progressed through the German football pyramid, demonstrating consistent attacking output. His arrival at Le Havre represents a step up to a top-flight league.
Le Havre will be hoping Mizuta can replicate his form from the previous season in Ligue 1. The club have also recently extended the contracts of Loïc Nego and Ally Samatta, signaling a period of stability and squad building ahead of the new campaign. Mizuta’s fluency in both English and German should aid his integration into the team and the local community, offering a smooth transition to French football.
