It is a glorious, golden early autumn day in Salzburg as we meet Sota Kitano in the Mirabell Gardens before taking a stroll down to the Salzach River. While tourists meander through the grounds on either side of us, soaking up the panoramic views, Sota walks along in a relaxed manner. Anyone who knows the attacking player as a lively whirlwind on the pitch could be surprised to see a much calmer - almost slightly shy - side of him off the field. That's not to say he is in a bad mood. Far from it - Sota wears a relaxed smile the whole time as he soaks in the atmosphere.

It is no secret that the 22-year-old has a keen eye for aesthetics. Ask around the team, and he is regarded as someone with impeccable fashion sense (as Niki Veratschnig and Dominik Schmid confirmed in our latest podcast episode). Sota likes to use days off - such as those during the international break - to explore more of Europe and discover new places. He tells us that the outfit he is wearing today was unpacked fresh from his suitcase after a trip to Paris with friends. "I really like the way people dress here and in Europe in general, and I like trying to adopt a similar style. I’m not sure if it looks good on me as a Japanese person, though. Sometimes there is a bit of a difference."

The Japanese player has been living and playing here in Salzburg for nearly a year and a half now and has settled in perfectly in his new home. Yet, behind the attacking midfielder’s calm demeanour lies a story that began in a quiet suburb of Osaka and eventually led him to our Red Bulls.

For me, it was always just football, even though many of my friends preferred playing baseball.

The football mad Kitano family

Growing up in a rural area near the metropolis of Osaka, football was Sota’s absolute number-one passion from an early age. A love for the sport was something the whole family lived and breathed. Not only did his dad play actively back then, but his brother - three years his senior - also never missed a chance to chase after the ball.

"My brother started first, and from then on, I just followed him every step of the way," Sota recalls with a smile. Consequently, he was already out on the pitch with his family by the age of four or five: "I can’t really remember the very first time - it was just so long ago." Although baseball remains the number-one sport in Japan - holding the highest status - that national pastime never appealed to our star: "Baseball never really appealed to me. For me, it was always just football, even though many of my friends preferred playing baseball back then." As for Sota’s role models? Ball wizards like Neymar Jr. and Shinji Kagawa - players he still tries to emulate to this day.

That wasn't something I was used to from Japan.

Trying out in the Netherlands

The journey from Japan to Europe is a long one, and moving to a league here is a major step: "Playing abroad had been a dream since childhood, but the moment I felt a serious, realistic desire to do that was only after I had become a professional footballer." A key turning point for Sota was a trial lasting nearly two weeks with Almere City in the Netherlands.

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"That experience was invaluable to me; it immensely strengthened my desire to move to Europe," he reflects. The mentality, in particular, left a lasting impression on him: "The way mistakes are handled here - shaking them off quickly rather than letting them hold you back - and the physicality of the duels, I had to take that on quickly. That wasn't something I was used to from Japan."

Minamino's footsteps and the Frans Krätzig language school

He had already demonstrated his extraordinary potential back home at Cerezo Osaka. In March 2022, Sota made club history there - while simultaneously following in the footsteps of a Red Bull! At just 17 years, 6 months, and 17 days old, he scored in only his third professional appearance, displacing none other than Takumi Minamino as the youngest competitive goalscorer in the club's history.

Sota grew up speaking only Japanese. However, after moving to Europe and Salzburg, he knew that had to change. Thanks to regular language classes, he now communicates very well in English. He is making progress in German, too - and that is largely thanks to a very special mentor: Frans Krätzig. The two enjoy spurring each other on - Frans teaches him German vocabulary, while Sota returns the favour by sharing amusing Japanese phrases. "There’s a lot of nonsense involved on both sides, though," Sota says with a laugh

Honestly, I can't imagine a life without football.

Coffe, anime and the dream of making the national team

Sota never really had a Plan B in mind. When asked what he would do without football, he ponders the question for a long time without finding a real answer: "Honestly, I can't imagine a life without football."

What about life off the pitch? When he isn't training, he enjoys the nature around Salzburg, sits in a café, or unwinds at home watching Japanese anime series like My Hero Academia. Naturally, he would love to spend the current international break with the Japanese national team - though he did make his debut in a friendly match back in November 2025. "Of course, playing for my country again is a lifelong dream. But first, I have to deliver consistent performances here at my club - then a return to the national team will naturally be within reach."

As the autumn sun slowly sets over the Salzach River, the focus in the evening light quickly shifts back to what matters most. There isn't much time to relax, as Sota and the rest of the squad face a demanding schedule in the coming weeks. Thrilling UEFA Europa League clashes against top opponents like AC Milan await, and our Red Bulls are determined to give it their all and are counting on your full support!

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The Japanese whirlwind in Austria