What Haraguchi Genki (原口元気)'s arrival says about K Beerschot VA today: the potential of Japanese players in Europe and Japanese-owned clubs

The circumstances behind Haraguchi Genki (原口元気)'s arrival at Belgian second-tier club K Beerschot VA in September 2025 were explained in the context of the relationship between the progress of acquisition negotiations and the timing of formal management involvement. The club views recruiting Japanese players as a way to expand opportunities to pursue careers in Europe, and said Haraguchi's arrival would also help strengthen its ties with Japan.

Following Masui Ken (倍井謙)'s arrival, the club outlined a path toward promotion to the top division. Masui ultimately chose a route focused on aiming for promotion to the top flight, although it involved leaving Beerschot. The discussion also covered the difficulty of decisions accompanying an overseas move, including the views of the player's family and agent.

The extension of Pope William (ポープ・ウィリアム)'s loan was announced, and the view was expressed that players could pursue opportunities in the Belgian league in every position, including goalkeeper. There was a shared recognition that Belgium could provide an environment capable of bringing out the potential of Japanese players, taking into account factors such as foreign-player quotas and minimum salaries.

The club identified strengthening its player development and sales model, expanding opportunities for coaches in Europe, and building a model for returning funds through partnerships with Japanese clubs as ways to give back to Japanese football through Japanese capital's involvement in club management. Specifically, it indicated that it would explore a mechanism for returning transfer fees to Japanese clubs through the process from player development to sale.