Player Analysis: Ritsu Doan

Ritsu Doan is a 22-year-old Japanese right winger/attacking midfielder who is currently playing in the Bundesliga for newly promoted Arminia Bielefeld. Doan is on loan from Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, having moved to Bielefelder Alm on a season-long loan in September.

Doan was born in Amagasaki, Hyogo, Japan and grew up playing for Gamba Osaka Junior Youth (2011-2013) and Gamba Osaka Youth (2014-2015). In the 2015 season, aged just 16, Doan made his first appearance in the J1 league for Gamba Osaka. Doan stayed at Gamba Osaka for three seasons and in 2017, completed a loan move to Dutch side FC Groningen. FC Groningen brought Doan to the club on a permanent deal in the summer of 2018 where he spent another two seasons before making a move to Eredivisie giants PSV Eindhoven. 

Doan spent the first part of the 2019/20 season at PSV before accepting a loan move to Arminia Bielefeld. With three goals and two assists so far this season, Doan has been Arminia’s most dangerous attacking outlet and could well be a decisive player in their chances of staying in the German top-flight come to the end of the season. 

Before this analysis looks at Doan’s performance on the pitch, it is important to firstly consider the areas in which his strengths lie. Since joining Arminia, Doan has been their most dangerous attacking threat, especially in the final third. He is a real threat in advanced areas and a deeper look at his attacking stats show just how important he is for his side's attacking output.