He is replacing a World Cup winner and is his country’s first Premier League keeper, but Villa’s new signing has already dealt with harder challenges
In November 2001, the first Japanese goalkeeper to play English league football conceded a goal within the first minute of his debut. Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi may have struggled for second-tier Portsmouth, conceding 21 times in his 12 games after being spotted by the then-director of football, Harry Redknapp, but he also produced some world-class saves and had glowing things to say about the Royal Mail.
Replaced by a 42-year-old Dave Beasant, Kawaguchi nevertheless remains a cult hero on the south coast as a standing ovation in his final game demonstrated. Despite going on to play 116 times for Japan, he never made the jump to the Premier League. Now though, finally, Japan has a number one in the top flight.
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