Anderlecht Sells Keisuke Goto to Freiburg for €13 Million
Belgian Pro League side RSC Anderlecht has completed the sale of Japanese striker Keisuke Goto to Bundesliga club SC Freiburg for approximately €13 million, according to Het Laatste Nieuws. The 21-year-old, who is part of Japan’s 2026 World Cup squad, moves to the German side after a breakthrough season on loan at Sint-Truiden.
A Lucrative Deal for Anderlecht
The transfer represents a remarkable financial return for the Brussels club. Anderlecht initially signed Goto permanently from Júbilo Iwata in summer 2024 for approximately €1.1 million. Just two years later, they are receiving roughly ten to twelve times that amount. While SC Freiburg did not disclose the exact fee, citing a policy of keeping contract details confidential, Belgian outlet HLN reports the figure at €13 million, while German outlet kicker and Transfermarkt list it closer to €10 million.
Goto’s Path to the Bundesliga
The 1.91m striker initially joined Anderlecht on loan from Júbilo Iwata in January 2024. After making the move permanent, he struggled to break into the first team, making only 10 senior appearances and scoring three goals. He spent most of his time with the reserve side RSCA Futures in the Belgian second tier, where he netted 13 goals in 31 matches.
A loan move to Sint-Truiden for the 2025/2026 season proved transformative. Goto became the club’s main striker and top scorer, registering 10 goals and 5 assists in 28 Belgian Pro League appearances, and 12 goals with 8 assists across all competitions. His performances earned him a call-up to Japan’s senior national team and a place in their 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Strained Relationship
Goto’s departure from Anderlecht was widely anticipated. In April 2026, after scoring for Sint-Truiden against his parent club, he celebrated exuberantly and stated publicly that he no longer wanted to play for Anderlecht, making a “cut, cut, cut” gesture that left little doubt about his intentions. The Associated Press confirmed that the strained relationship made a summer departure inevitable.
Freiburg’s Growing Japanese Contingent
SC Freiburg finished 7th in the Bundesliga and reached the Europa League final in the 2025/2026 season, where they lost to Aston Villa. Goto is the third summer signing for the club, following midfielder Rihito Yamamoto — also from Sint-Truiden — and goalkeeper Mio Backhaus from Werder Bremen. The club is actively building a Japanese contingent, with Goto becoming the second Japanese player to join this summer.
Freiburg sporting director Jochen Saier expressed enthusiasm about the signing: “In Keisuke, we’ve won an exciting player with interesting potential. His daring style of play will be a real asset to us. He likes to make runs in behind, has a good sense of space, and also knows how to position himself in the penalty area.”
Goto himself cited Freiburg’s persistent interest as a key factor in his decision. “SC Freiburg showed a lot of interest in me a few months ago. From the very beginning, I felt that the club really wanted me, and that was one of the main reasons why I decided to join Freiburg,” he said in the club’s official announcement.
What’s Next
Before joining his new teammates in Germany, Goto will represent Japan at the 2026 World Cup. Japan has been drawn into Group F alongside the Netherlands, Sweden, and Tunisia. A strong performance on the global stage could further elevate his market value.
For Anderlecht, the sale provides significant financial breathing room as the club continues its rebuilding phase. The deal also highlights the growing value of Japanese talent in European football, with Goto’s trajectory from a €1.1 million acquisition to a €10-13 million asset in just two years serving as a compelling case study.
Sint-Truiden, meanwhile, must now find a replacement for their departed top scorer, while Freiburg adds a promising young striker to a squad that has proven it can compete at the highest levels of European football.