How Yoshinori Muto is faring since leaving Newcastle

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Yoshinori Muto’s stint at Newcastle United was one of the most bizarre in recent memory.

The attacker joined the club from Mainz back in 2018 for a fee reported to be £9.5 million at the time.

Telegraph journalist Luke Edwards later claimed the fee was closer to £14 million. He said the fee was originally downplayed ‘because someone realised very early it was a mistake’.

Newcastle had seemingly liked what they saw from Muto at the 2018 World Cup, with Japan reaching the Round of 16 and exiting the competition in a closely fought game with Belgium.

Muto had caught the eye, and earned himself a move to the Premier League.

Fans thinking he would have a big impact on the team would be sorely mistaken though.

Muto made 17 Premier League appearances in his first season at St. James’ Park, with a further one coming in the EFL Cup, and scored just one goal – against Manchester United in a 3-2 defeat at Old Trafford.

He then made 10 appearances across all competitions in his second term, again scoring just once.

Come the summer of 2020, Newcastle had become frustrated with Muto’s lack of an impact, and loaned him out to Spanish club Eibar.

Last season, he featured 28 times, scoring a paltry three goals.

That was Muto’s chance to save his Newcastle career. He needed to thrive really in order to get any minutes in 2021/22.

But he didn’t, and Muto terminated his Newcastle contract by mutual consent, and then joined Vissel Kobe.

How Yoshinori Muto has fared since leaving Newcastle

Perhaps typically, Muto has been in fine fettle since ending his St. James’ Park nightmare.

The star has been flourishing back in his homeland with Vissel Kobe.

So far, he has turned out 14 times for the club and scored five goals.

While has he hasn’t been prolific, he’s certainly been creative, adding a very impressive eight assists.

The J1 League is actually over now, with the season running throughout the calendar year.

Vissel Kobe finished the 2021 season in third place, with Kawasake Frontale the champions and Yokohama FM the runners-up.