"I've decided to move to Sheffield Wednesday FC in the EFL Championship,” Hatsuse told Kobe’s official media. “Thank you so much to everyone involved in Vissel Kobe for the past six years.

“In making this transfer, I really didn't have any reason in me not to challenge myself when I really love football and it's been my dream since I was a kid to have a chance to play in Europe.

“In England, where I'm transferring so that I can show everyone how much I've grown, I'm always going to focus on myself and work hard every day. Once again thank you for the six years. Off we go!”

Hatsuse played 151 times in the J1 League for Kobe and was also part of the side that won the Emperor’s Cup in 2024.

He played five times in the current edition of the AFC Champions League Elite™, where Kobe sit in third place in the eastern league standings ahead of their return to the competition on Tuesday, when they face Shanghai Port.