Left WingerJapan29 years oldPlays for Brighton & Hove Albion
Photo: AFC Bournemouth, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons; resized and cropped.
Kaoru Mitoma (三笘 薫), born on 20 May 1997, operates primarily as a left winger for Brighton & Hove Albion. Recent weeks have seen his future at the Seagulls become uncertain as renewal talks have stalled.
Mitoma thrives on the left flank, cutting inside onto his stronger right foot. His acceleration allows him to exploit half‑spaces, while close‑control dribbling lets him beat defenders in one‑on‑one situations. In De Zerbi’s 4‑2‑3‑1, he receives the ball high and wide, then drives forward, often linking with the central attacking midfielder to create overloads.
Defensively, he tracks back to support the full‑back, though his primary contribution remains offensive. His work‑rate in training has been highlighted by manager Fabian Hurzeler as “fully committed”.
Areas for improvement include aerial duels—his 178 cm frame limits his threat on set pieces—and consistency in end‑product; while he generates chances, his conversion rate lags behind the team’s overall scoring efficiency.
Mitoma arrived at Brighton in the summer after a season on loan at Union SG, signed for a modest fee of £3 million. He broke into the Premier League lineup during the 4‑1 victory over Chelsea on 29 October, a performance that cemented his place in the starting XI.
Under De Zerbi, Brighton finished sixth in 2023/24, netting 72 goals. Mitoma contributed several key assists and occasional goals, helping the side qualify for European competition. His form earned a call‑up to Japan’s World Cup squad, confirming his status as one of the league’s most effective wide attackers.
With only six months remaining on his current deal, Mitoma could leave on a free transfer in the summer of 2027 or for a reduced fee in the January window. Reports indicate interest from clubs in the top six leagues, attracted by his blend of pace and technical ability. Brighton’s wage bill for the player sits around £80,000 per week, making a renewal financially significant for the club. Should negotiations continue to stall, a departure—whether for a modest fee or on a Bosman—appears increasingly likely.
TEAMtalk describes Liverpool monitoring Brighton left winger Kaoru Mitoma in January, with any move complicated by injury and stalled contract talks. His listed contract runs to June 2027.