According to Belgian media outlet hbvl, Japanese midfielder Ryotaro Ito's ambitions have proven unrealistic, and he remains without a new club.

It was reportedly clear even before last season's playoffs that Ryotaro Ito had gradually lost interest in Sint-Truidense after three years. The Japanese player fulfilled his contract as expected but repeatedly hinted that he had spent enough time in Belgium. His management team also stated multiple times that a renewal was not an option, allowing Ito to leave on a free transfer this summer.

Furthermore, the player attracted significant attention during his final season at Sint-Truidense. In his first two seasons, he was still adapting to the physicality of the Belgian league, but under Thorsten Fink, he truly lived up to his nickname "the magician." Ryotaro Ito was given the freedom to play in an attacking number 10 role and regularly showcased the quality of his exceptional left foot. Consequently, like Goto and Yamamoto before him, several German clubs came to Stayen to scout him. Hamburger SV appeared to be the most interested, with Borussia Mönchengladbach also entering the race.

So why didn't these teams push harder in recent months? The problem largely lies with the player and his representatives. Ito set his sights extremely high, rejecting many interested clubs. Even overtures from Belgian clubs like Gent were immediately dismissed, so there were never any serious negotiations. Ito was not interested; he chose to wait for a truly significant opportunity. However, by the end of the summer transfer window, he remained without a new club.

The player was subsequently spotted at Sint-Truidense. It emerged that he was simply visiting Japanese friends in the squad and handling some personal matters. Previously, Sint-Truidense had also offered assistance and cautiously inquired about his plans. But even with the door slightly ajar, Ito shut it firmly. He had long set his sights abroad, and a return to Sint-Truidense was never an option.

Finally, last week appeared to bring progress. An agreement was reached with English second-tier club Blackburn Rovers, but Ito failed his medical. During a playoff home match against Gent last season, he suffered a serious ankle injury in an early collision with his compatriot and former Norwich player Daiki Hashioka. Those 12 minutes against Gent would prove to be his last in a Sint-Truidense shirt, as the severe ankle sprain forced him to miss the remaining two matches. The injury also contributed to a decline in his overall fitness. This injury, compounded by other physical setbacks, ultimately prompted Blackburn to withdraw. The two parties had even discussed modifying the contract terms, but negotiations have since stalled.

The biggest question now is what comes next. In any case, it will not be Sint-Truidense. The club has made clear they do not want a player who is not fully committed. The most likely scenario is that Ito, once fully recovered, will return to Japan's J-League – where Norwich originally scouted him from Albirex Niigata three years ago.

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