Ritsu Doan currently represents Eintracht in his matches
Ritsu Doan Joins Eintracht Frankfurt After Successful Stint in Germany and Netherlands
Ritsu Doan, a 27-year-old Japanese national team player, has joined Eintracht Frankfurt from SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga, inking a five-year contract that will keep him at the club until June 30, 2030. The transfer, worth a fixed fee of 21 million euros, was confirmed by Sky TV and is effective immediately.
Doan's career began at Gamba Osaka in Japan, but it was in Europe where he truly made a name for himself. He spent four seasons in the Netherlands, playing for FC Groningen and PSV Eindhoven, and also had a loan spell in the Bundesliga with Arminia Bielefeld, although details of this period are not provided.
In the Netherlands, Doan played a total of 130 competitive games, scoring 29 goals and providing 13 assists. At PSV Eindhoven, he was part of the team that finished as runners-up in the 2021/22 Eredivisie season and won the Dutch Cup in 2022, marking his first major club trophy.
After his successful period in the Netherlands, Doan transitioned to Germany where he played for Bochum and Freiburg. At Freiburg, he was the club's top scorer in the 2024/25 season with 10 goals and 7 assists, helping the team narrowly miss Champions League qualification.
Toni Kroos, a notable footballer, has praised Doan's quality as a player, but no prior context is provided. With ten goals and eight assists in the Bundesliga last season, Doan helped SC Freiburg qualify for the European Cup.
In addition to his club success, Doan has represented Japan extensively on the international stage, including appearances at the Asian Championship in 2018 and 2022, the 2021 Olympic Games, and all matches during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. As of 2025, he has amassed 57 international caps.
Doan is expected to play an important role in Eintracht Frankfurt's attack alongside new signing Jonathan Burkardt, as the club prepares for their Champions League return following the sale of Hugo Ekitiké. Frankfurt finished third in the Bundesliga prior to his arrival, and the team is hopeful that Doan will help them continue their success in the upcoming season.
Ritsu Doan, having shown exceptional prowess in European leagues, particularly the Dutch Eredivisie, will now bring his football skills to the Premier League of German football, joining Eintracht Frankfurt. In the 2024/25 season alone, while playing for SC Freiburg, Doan demonstrated his versatility with 10 goals and 7 assists, almost securing a spot for the Champions League.
