Midfielder Ryotaro Araki has joined STVV from Kashima Antlers and has signed a multi-year contract at Stayen. This was announced on STVV's official channels.

According to local media, STVV is close to acquiring Ryotaro Araki. The 24-year-old midfielder would be loaned from Kashima Antlers with an option to buy. Danilo Servadei reported that Ryotaro Araki will be a new Sint-Truiden player. Servadei also stated that the attacking midfielder, born in 2002, from Kashima Antlers will move to Belgium on loan with a right of redemption.

Ryotaro Araki, a 22-year-old player for the Japanese national team, is reportedly a top target for FK Austria Wien. As reported by Japanese sports media 'Sponichi' and other corroborating sources, Austria Wien has already submitted an offer to Kashima Antlers, which is Araki's current club. Over the past year, Araki was on loan at FC Tokyo, where he managed to score seven goals and provided four assists across 31 matches. Additionally, he represented Japan in the 2024 Paris Olympics and has appeared seven times for the U23 national team. Araki is under contract with Kashima Antlers until January 2026, and his market value is estimated to be one million euros according to 'transfermarkt.at'.