Frankfurt signs Japan winger Ritsu Doan for its Champions League return

FRANKFURT, Germany (AP) — Eintracht Frankfurt has signed Japanese winger Ritsu Doan to strengthen a squad depleted by the sale of Hugo Ekitiké as it prepares to return to the Champions League.

Doan joins on a five-year contract from fellow German club Freiburg, where he was top scorer with 10 goals as the team placed fifth in the Bundesliga.

“I'm very happy and honored to be here,” Doan said in a translated video message to Frankfurt fans. “I can't wait to play in front of the supporters.”

Frankfurt is heading back to the Champions League this season after a third-place Bundesliga finish but will have a new-look attack after striker Ekitiké was sold to Liverpool for a fee of 69 million pounds ($93.5 million).

The 27-year-old Doan will be expected to team up with another new signing for Ekitiké's center-forward role, ex-Mainz striker Jonathan Burkardt.

Doan won the Dutch Cup with PSV Eindhoven in 2022 and has played 57 games for the Japanese national team. That includes all of its games at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and a role in securing qualification for next year's World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Doan could make his Frankfurt debut Aug. 17 in a German Cup game against fifth-tier Engers. Frankfurt's first Bundesliga game of the season is six days later at home to Werder Bremen.

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FILE -Japan's Ritsu Doan, left, and Saudi Arabia's Hassan Al Tambakti battle for control the ball during the World Cup 2026 group C qualifying soccer match between Japan and Saudi Arabia at Saitama Stadium 2002 in Saitama, north of Tokyo, March 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko, File)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — New York Mets slugger Juan Soto left Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants in the first inning with right calf tightness.

Soto singled off Tyler Mahle in the top of the first and appeared to slow up while going first to third on Bo Bichette's run-scoring single. Soto was forced out at home plate when Brett Baty grounded into a 1-2-3 double play, and Tyrone Taylor replaced Soto in left field for the bottom of the first.

The 27-year-old Soto is in the second season of a record $765 million, 15-year contract with the Mets. He had 43 homers and 105 RBIs last season.

Soto began his big league career with the Washington Nationals in 2018. He also has played for the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees.

Soto has hit safely in all eight Mets games this season. He entered Friday with a .282 career batting average and 245 home runs.

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New York Mets' Juan Soto slides into home plate to score on a double by Bo Bichette during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)

New York Mets' Juan Soto hits a single during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants in San Francisco, Thursday, April 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)