New Hamburg striker Tatsuya Ito is hoping to be the next Japanese player to make an impact in the German Bundesliga, after Kashiwa Reysol announced his transfer there on Monday.

The 18-year-old talent is a product of the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League side’s youth academy and contributed to their 2014 Prince Takamado Trophy U-18 Premier League East title.

Ito was also named Most Valuable Player of that year’s Al Ain International Junior Youth Championship, and feels his experiences have prepared him to be the next big Japanese export.

“I’m grateful to Kashiwa Reysol for making me a better football player and a better person,” Ito told the club’s official website.

“I hope that by succeeding in Germany I can return the favour to the club.”

Ito will team up with compatriot Gotoku Sakai at HSV, who were guided to top-flight safety by Bruno Labbadia last season.