Kaoru Mitoma - Soccer News, Rumors, & Updates

Undergoes surgery Mitoma (hamstring) received surgery on his injured hamstring Monday, while Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler commented "The good news is that the procedure was successful and Kaoru...

Impact Mitoma saw his 2025/26 season come to an early end and was also excluded from Japan's World Cup squad due to the issue, from which he's now expected to return at some point in the next campaign. The winger tallied three goals and one assist along with 33 shots (14 on target), 31 chances created and 49 crosses (nine accurate) over 27 appearances (19 starts) in the past year, struggling to stay fit and reach his full potential. Once he's fully recovered, he'll be back in contention with Diego Gomez, Maxim De Cuyper and Yankuba Minteh.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Left out of Japan WC squad Mitoma (hamstring) has been left out of Japan's World Cup squad by coach Hajime Moriyasu after it was determined he would not be able to recover fully during the tournament.

Impact Mitoma had been in a race against time to prove his fitness following the hamstring injury that ended his Premier League season with Brighton, but the national team's medical staff ultimately concluded the timeline was too tight to guarantee him being available throughout the competition. The Japanese winger ends a season heavily disrupted by injuries with three goals, one assist, 30 chances created and 46 crosses across 25 Premier League appearances (19 starts), having shown his quality whenever fit before the hamstring issue brought his campaign to a premature end. It is a deeply unfortunate conclusion for one of the most exciting wide players in the Premier League, who had been expected to be a centerpiece of Japan's attacking setup at the tournament.

MAY 14 • ROTOWIRE

World Cup status unknown Mitoma (hamstring) is out for the remainder of the league season, but remains in doubt for the World Cup, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. For us, he will be out and will miss...

Impact Mitoma is still recovering from a somewhat serious hamstring injury, which leaves the attacker in a spot where he may miss the World Cup. Unfortunately, it appears his club and national team have no further information on his recovery, as it appears the decision to add him to the roster will be made at the last second. This is a rough spot to be for the attacker, as he was set to be a centerpiece of the Japanese squad and was in decent form, but now in a race to be fit.

MAY 14 • ROTOWIRE

World Cup hopes slashed Mitoma (hamstring) is in a race to be fit for the World Cup, but it appears unlikely at the time, according to manager Hajime Moriyasu, per Jiji.com. "I hope it's a minor injury, b...

Impact Mitoma went down a few days ago and will now be in a race for fitness heading into the Summer, as a hamstring injury could stop him from playing in the World Cup. This would be a major blow to Japan, as he is one of their more skilled attackers and was slated for a starting role if fit for the tournament. He will now race to work on his fitness in the next few weeks, although a return ahead of their opener against the Netherlands on June 14 is unlikely.

MAY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off injured Mitoma suffered an apparent injury in Saturday's 3-0 win over Wolves.

Impact Mitoma is worrying Japanese fans Saturday after he needed to come off in the 58th minute of Saturday's match, appearing to have suffered a hamstring injury. This is a major storyline for the Japan National Team, as with the World Cup just a month away, he could be set for the sidelines. A regular hamstring injury would likely knock him out for close to three weeks, although any sort of tear could end his World Cup hopes.

MAY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Chelsea Mitoma has been confirmed fit after coach Fabian Hurzeler clarified his late substitution against Tottenham was due to cramps rather than any injury, according to Andy Naylor of Th...

Impact Mitoma had raised some concern after being withdrawn in the 75th minute following a lively performance that included a goal in the 2-2 draw against Spurs, but the reassuring update puts any doubts to rest ahead of Tuesday's clash against Chelsea. With Diego Gomez (knee) sidelined with an injury, Mitoma is expected to step into the starting lineup against the Blues, giving the Seagulls their most dangerous attacking option available for a crucial Premier League fixture.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

Scores in Mitoma scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 2-2 draw versus Tottenham Hotspur. He was injured and subbed out in the 75th m...

Impact Mitoma did not start Saturday's contest, but he was brought onto the pitch in the 20th minute to replace the injured Diego Gomez (knee). Mitoma made the most of his time on the pitch, scoring a goal just before halftime to tie the match at one apiece. Mitoma was forced off himself late in the second half with an undisclosed injury, putting his status for Tuesday's clash with Chelsea up in the air.

APRIL 19 • ROTOWIRE

Active with national team Mitoma recorded 116 minutes of play and scored one goal for Japan during the March international friendlies against Scotland and England.

Impact Mitoma hasn't been directly involved in a goal over the last 11 club games, but he has built momentum at the international level shortly after recovering from a mild ankle injury. Despite his scoring drought, the winger should be a consistent starter and a decent threat against most opposition after averaging 1.1 shots and 1.4 chances created per contest throughout the 2025/26 Premier League campaign.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Back available against Liverpool Mitoma (ankle) is back available for Saturday's clash against Liverpool, according to Fabian Hurzeler, according to BBC Sussex Sport.

Impact Mitoma got back on the grass this week and is now in the mix for Saturday's showdown against Liverpool, a major boost for the Seagulls given his locked-in role as a frontline starter when fully fit and his expected return to that spot moving forward. That said, if he ends up starting on the bench against the Reds, Yankuba Minteh is likely to get another run in his place.

MARCH 20 • ROTOWIRE

Running on grass Mitoma (ankle) was pictured running on grass Wednesday, the club posted.

Impact Mitoma is not back in full training yet but showed real progress Wednesday as he was spotted running on grass at Brighton's training ground. That's an encouraging sign for the Seagulls with two full days left to keep building his fitness ahead of Saturday's showdown against Liverpool. That said, if the Japanese winger is not ready to make the squad, Yankuba Minteh is likely in line to start again against the Reds.

MARCH 19 • ROTOWIRE

Misses call Saturday Mitoma (ankle) is ruled out for Saturday's clash against Sunderland.

Impact Mitoma is not included in the squad for Saturday's clash with Sunderland after his ankle did not respond well enough during the final stages of training. The forward will need additional time to recover before returning to action. Yankuba Minteh is therefore in line for increased minutes while Mitoma remains sidelined.

MARCH 14 • ROTOWIRE

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MARCH 14 • FOX SPORTS

Late call Saturday Mitoma (ankle) is expected to train Friday and will be a late call for Saturday's clash against Sunderland, according to coach Fabian Hurzeler, per Chris Nightingale from Sky Sport...

Impact Mitoma will be evaluated after Friday's final team training session, which he is expected to take part in, and how his ankle responds will determine whether he makes the squad for Saturday's clash with Sunderland. If the forward ends up needing some time on the sidelines to fully recover, Yankuba Minteh could be in line for increased minutes with the Seagulls until Mitoma works his way back.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Suffers minor ankle injury Mitoma suffered a minor ankle injury and was forced off at halftime during Wednesday's 1-0 defeat against Arsenal, according to coach Fabian Hurzeler, per The Argus. "He couldn't c...

Impact Mitoma will be evaluated over the next few hours after picking up a minor ankle injury during Wednesday's loss to Arsenal. The Japanese winger's status is worth monitoring closely since coach Fabian Hurzeler described it as minor, but Mitoma has already dealt with ankle problems this season, including one that kept him sidelined for two months earlier in the campaign. Yankuba Minteh would likely step back into the starting XI if Mitoma ends up missing time while recovering.

MARCH 4 • ROTOWIRE

Nets equalizer Mitoma scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Wednesday's 1-1 draw versus Manchester City. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 69th...

Impact Mitoma would be the hero of Wednesday's match for Brighton after a goal would earn the club a point, finding the back of the net in the 60th minute. This marks his first goal since returning from injury and his first goal contribution in some time, with his last coming Sept. 13. He should maintain the starting role now that he is fit, with two goals and one assist in 11 appearances (eight starts) this season.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Feeling well after start Mitoma went 70 minutes in the 2-0 win against Burnley and had no problems after the match, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler. "It was his first start after a long time. But he c...

Impact Mitoma had been out since late September with a couple nagging injuries, but he returned in December and eventually built his fitness enough to start. The hope is that he can keep building and staying healthy. When fit, Mitoma is a regular in the XI, producing one goal and one assist from six shots and seven chances created in his first six starts this season.

JANUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

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Selected for bench Mitoma (illness) is on the bench for Tuesday's match against West Ham.

Impact Mitoma was likely to be an option for Tuesday and is with the team, as the attacker is recovered rom his illness. His main goal moving forward will be to get back into a starting role, as he started in the first six games of the season before an injury, only appearing off the bench twice since then.

DECEMBER 30, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Option for Tuesday Mitoma (illness) is an option for Tuesday's match against West Ham, according to manager Fabian Hurzeler, per Derren Howard of Sussex World.

Impact Mitoma was battling an illness and missed the last match, but is set for his return this week, making the short turnaround to face West Ham. This is huge news for the club after only returning from injury three games ago, hoping to start to ramp up his minutes. He has yet to start since returning, likely to earn back that role in the coming games, starting in all six games to open the season.

DECEMBER 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Out with illness Mitoma was out for Saturday's 2-1 loss to Brighton due to an illness, according to Andy Naylor of The Athletic.

Impact Mitoma was not with the team Saturday as he hit the sidelines due to an illness, not fit enough to make the team sheet. Luckily for the club, he last earned a start Sept. 27, so this didn't force a change. However, they are trying to get the attacker back fit and into a starting role after over a month injured, a bit of a setback in the process.

DECEMBER 27, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Four crosses as sub Mitoma recorded four crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 0-0 draw against Sunderland.

Impact Mitoma made his second appearance after returning from injury. He had started each of the first six games this season before he picked up his injury. In this game, he created two chances and attempted four crosses in what was only a 26-minute substitute appearance.

DECEMBER 22, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Carefully managed in return Mitoma is carefully managed in his return from an ankle injury and will face limited minutes in order to build his competitive fitness back, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in a press c...

Impact Mitoma was planned to play half an hour in Saturday's clash against Liverpool, as his minutes are being limited after returning from a long term ankle injury. The winger will likely build his competitive fitness back in the upcoming fixtures to ensure he does not face any setbacks related to his injury. That said, once fully back fit, Mitoma will claim back an undisputed starter role in the frontline of the Seagulls.

DECEMBER 15, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Makes bench Saturday Mitoma (ankle) is on the bench for Saturday's clash against Liverpool.

Impact Mitoma has been training with the team for weeks and is a potential option to return to action from the bench Saturday against Liverpool. After spending two months on the sidelines, coach Fabian Hurzeler tempered expectations in the media, stressing that the winger will need time to regain full match fitness. His inclusion among the substitutes would allow for a gradual reintegration rather than an immediate full workload.

DECEMBER 13, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Should be available Saturday Mitoma (ankle) has trained well this week and should be available for Saturday's clash against Liverpool, coach Fabian Hurzeler said in the press conference, according to The Argus...

Impact Mitoma has been training for weeks with the team and is again a potential option to come back for Saturday's clash against Liverpool. That said, after two months on the sidelines, coach Fabian Hurzeler said to the media not to hope a lot from the winger once back on the pitch since he will have to build his competitive fitness back.

DECEMBER 12, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

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