Avispa Fukuoka had a terrific first season back in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 LEAGUE last year.
The newly promoted side spent much of the year in the top half of the table, even mounting a bit of a challenge for an AFC Champions League berth before finishing an excellent eighth place. They rode a strong defense and committed team concept to their great results, but Avispa were clearly lacking a game changer up front so they went out this winter and got a man they think will propel them even higher - Lukian.
The Brazilian striker provides Avispa with a proven goalscorer, having led J2 in tallies last season. He can finish crosses and run in over the top, as well as create chances on his own. He’s the total package in front of net and Avispa need that after nobody on the team scored more than five goals last season.
Nobody knows how good Lukian is quite like Júbilo Iwata, where he played last season and scored 22 times. The Brazilian’s rampant scoring led them to promotion and now the two will square off at the very beginning of the campaign as Lukian’s Avispa take on Júbilo to open the 2022 Meiji Yasuda J1 League season.
If Lukian is able to carry over his form from Júbilo to Avispa, the men from Fukuoka are going to potentially fly even higher this season.
But will Lukian shine on Matchday 1? His old club will be keen to shut him down as they seek to begin their return to the top flight in style.
