**Cardiff City Transfer: Ryotaro Tsunoda Returns to Yokohama Without Featuring Once for Bluebirds**
Cardiff City’s turbulent summer transfer window has seen another player depart, as Japanese defender Ryotaro Tsunoda re-joins Yokohama F. Marinos without making a single competitive appearance for the Welsh club. Tsunoda’s journey with Cardiff has been a case study in misfortune, marked by injuries and loan spells, rather than contributions on the pitch.
Initially brought to the Welsh capital during the January 2024 transfer window, Tsunoda’s signing was met with curiosity and hope. The 26-year-old had gained a reputation in Japan for his ball-playing abilities as a left-footed centre-back, skills which many believed could bolster Cardiff’s defensive options. Nevertheless, Tsunoda was promptly loaned out to KV Kortrijk in Belgium, which, in an unusual twist, is a club also owned by Cardiff’s major backer Vincent Tan.
Tsunoda’s stint in the Belgian league was marred by misfortune. Despite catching the eye in his initial outings, he suffered a severe hamstring injury, requiring surgery and an extensive four-month rehabilitation. That setback, which occurred early in his loan, entirely ruled him out for the opening of the following campaign.
Following his recovery, Tsunoda spent the first half of the 2024-25 season re-establishing fitness. By January, he had returned to match readiness and was again sent to Kortrijk, where he was regarded as one of the club’s standout performers. Sadly, despite his efforts, Kortrijk could not avoid relegation, capping off a frustrating period for the Japanese international.
Supporters hoped this summer would represent a fresh page for Tsunoda, especially with the appointment of new head coach Brian Barry-Murphy. Given Barry-Murphy’s predilection for building from the back, it seemed Tsunoda’s style might finally mesh with Cardiff’s changing tactical approach.
Yet, tragedy struck again during the pre-season tour in Murcia. Tsunoda picked up another injury in a friendly against Johor Darul Ta’zim, forcing him off in the first half. That turned out to be the last time he would wear Cardiff’s colours before the club confirmed his permanent transfer back to Yokohama F. Marinos. The financial details of the deal remain under wraps, pending international clearance.
Cardiff issued a brief statement: “Ryotaro Tsunoda has completed a permanent transfer to Japanese side Yokohama F. Marinos for an undisclosed fee, subject to international clearance. The defender joined in January 2024 and experienced two loan spells in Belgium. We wish Tsuno the very best for the future.”
Tsunoda is the thirteenth player to depart the Bluebirds this summer, with a mix of released contracts, loan moves, and outright sales thinning the squad. The case of Tsunoda, and fellow recent signing Roko Simic—neither of whom ever played a competitive minute for Cardiff—has prompted questions about the club’s recruitment priorities and decision-making processes. Both signings were earlier referred to as “club signings” by former manager Erol Bulut, suggesting decisions perhaps more influenced by the board than footballing staff.
As the club looks to rebuild, attention is now on incoming players. Cardiff are reportedly close to securing goalkeeper Nathan Trott and continue to search for reinforcements at centre-back, left-back, and on the wing. Chairman Mehmet Dalman confirmed at the weekend that another acquisition is “very close,” although not yet finalised due to minor hurdles.
Despite the churn, Dalman has maintained that the squad’s core does not require major surgery. “We don’t really need that many new players. I think the squad is pretty good,” he remarked. Yet with so many departures, particularly of players signed with high expectations but fated to never play, the pressure is on Cardiff’s recruitment team to deliver a squad capable of meeting supporters’ ambitions.
The story of Ryotaro Tsunoda’s time at Cardiff City is one of unfulfilled potential and bad luck, underscoring both the unpredictability of football careers and the complex dynamics of modern recruitment. As Tsunoda returns to familiar surroundings in the J-League, Cardiff are left to ponder what might have been, and to focus on shaping a squad ready for the challenges ahead.