Ryotaro Ito wants to stay in Spain and help Real Valladolid earn promotion

“I want to stay in Spain for a long time and help Real Valladolid earn promotion,” Ryotaro Ito said at a press conference on Wednesday, summing up his ambitions with his new club. His first aim, he explained, is to contribute as much as possible to the team and help it reach the first division.

Ito said he had not hesitated when the opportunity to join Real Valladolid arose. He called his new club “a very big club, with a lot of history” and said that, after giving his word and arriving in the city, his priority was to get up to the pace of competitive football. His goal, he added, is to make himself available to the coach, give his best and succeed.

Ito also described his first days as he settles in. He said he had quickly felt the history of the club and the city, met his teammates, and watched a training session and a match. The quality of the players and the support he has received from every part of the club since his arrival have made adapting easier, he said. He also praised sporting director Víctor Orta for his confidence in him and considers signing for Real Valladolid “the best decision”, despite receiving offers from other clubs.

His return to the pitch, however, depends on getting back into physical condition. The ankle problem has been overcome, but Real Valladolid’s medical staff are still working to strengthen the area and help him regain fitness so he can join Fran Escribá’s group as soon as possible. Ito says he is “doing everything possible” to be with the team quickly, while acknowledging that patience is needed. He believes succeeding in Spain is difficult because the standard is high and the football is demanding, adding that a number of Japanese players have not managed it.

Ito wants to build a career in Spain, which he describes as an ideal country with the best football. He says he is happy in Valladolid, praising the kindness of its people, the food and the city. He also spoke about the Japanese national team’s collective approach, in which everyone defends and attacks for the good of the group. Valladolid has had a Japanese player before: Shoji Jo arrived there in 2000. Ito has not spoken with him, but has talked to Takashi Inui, who told him how difficult Spanish football can be.