Ayumu Yokoyoma has joined Birmingham City to challenge Emil Hansson and company for a wide position.

Chris Davies, who signed Ayumu Yokoyoma as Birmingham City’s tenth summer acquisition, plans to utilise the Japanese talent “directly” out wide. Yokoyama has moved from J-League team Sagan Tosu to Blues, adding even more strength to Davies’ team. In 24 games this season in Japan’s top division, the 21-year-old has five goals and three assists.Yokoyama is primarily a left winger, but Davies has made it clear that he has been signed to play on the wings even though he can operate through the middle. “Yokoyama is a winger, he can play left or right, and he has also played as a striker,” he clarified. However, he is a technical, quick, and direct winger.

He’s someone who has had a successful start to his career in Japan, so I’m thrilled to have him on board because he will add depth and quality to the wide positions. Another summer addition to the Blues, Emil Hansson, is a Swedish talent that Yokoyama will be competing with for place. In order to make room for Siriki Dembele, Hansson was not included in Blues’ starting lineup for their Saturday match against Reading. However, he had an effect after being added at halftime.

“I thought Emil was excellent,” Davies remarked. In order to add some colour and excitement to that side, I wanted to bring him on. He was a true outlet, had an impact in the second half, and used his cross to win the game’s final penalty. Davies has asked for strength-in-depth, and Blues have enough of it in the attacking department—though they could use another center-forward. “Towards the end, if we’d had another 10 minutes, we probably would have scored that goal,” Davies continued. Physically, we looked well in the end, and the substitutes who entered all had an effect.