Wolves have made their first signing of the January transfer window, landing Hayao Kawabe from Grasshoppers.
Wolves of course have a strong working relationship and a formal partnership with the Swiss club, which they have used to get this deal done.
The Japanese midfielder will be loaned back to Grasshoppers for the remainder of their season after spending the winter break training with Wolves.
The 26-year-old will become Wolves’ first ever Japanese player having impressed so far in Switzerland, during what is his first season in European football.
Kawabe has scored four goals and laid on three more for teammates from midfield for Grasshoppers and also made his senior Japan debut against South Korea in March 2021.
He netted his first senior international goal three months later against Tajikistan and has signed a three-and-a-half year deal at Molineux.
Naturally, Wolves fans on Twitter had plenty to say about the deal and the decision to send him back on loan to Grasshoppers at the end of the month.
Here is how the signing went down with some supporters as Wolves got their business underway during a month many will hope is busy at Molineux…
Youtubed the lad and have come to the decision he’s one of the best players in the world.
— Jonny Quinton (@JonnyQ88) January 5, 2022
Right.. not gonna slag him off but who is he? Where’s he come from? Is he any good? first team or 23s???? Actually NEVER heard of him
— andywwfc83🐺💛🖤 (@Woodthewolf83) January 5, 2022
So many people moaning. Some of our best players came from nowhere ? Anyone actually watched him before? Probably not. Give him a chance. Might not even see him this year! But he's a squad player and adds depth.
— Benjamin M L Smith (@BenjaminTeach97) January 5, 2022
People moaning because they don't know about him, didn't hear about Kilman, Sa or RAN much either before their arrival, but they are our most exciting prospects this season, trust the process. Hope he has a banger next season. #welcomekawabe
— Matthew Wilkes. (@mattwgn1983) January 5, 2022
That’s not Sanches 🤣
— Kevin Leslie (@TheKevinLeslie) January 5, 2022
Welcome to the pack kawabe 🇯🇵 🐺
— Wenders (@wendyayit) January 5, 2022
Stats look good and it’s another midfielder so not gonna complain
— EwanTxwy (@txwy_ewan) January 5, 2022
Welcome to the pack, massive in Japan now 😁
— Mr Bruno's Premier league adventure extravaganza (@NormWolves1877) January 5, 2022
💛🐺🖤
"Expected " so of he impresses he could stay? Can he be given a chance with the first team this month?? As he is technically our player now and could sign back on loan at the end of the month?
— Benjamin M L Smith (@BenjaminTeach97) January 5, 2022
Looks good on video’s, good shot on him
— wolfy (@cannockwolf) January 5, 2022
What is the point 🤷🏻♂️
— stevie twynham (@stevietwynham) January 5, 2022
I mean… he's literally going back on loan to Grasshoppers after he's spent a month at the training ground. The fact this merits a big reveal suggests we really are getting no one in this January.
— 탄이 (@tristan26) January 5, 2022
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