Borussia Mönchengladbach has closed the pressing gap in its attack and signed Shuto Machino. The striker comes from Holstein Kiel and fits the profile.
Tim Kleindienst injured, Alassane Plea sold, Tomas Cvancara on his way out: Borussia Mönchengladbach will be without all three of last season’s strikers at the start of the season. That’s why the Foals are now strengthening their squad: after signing Haris Tabakovic on loan from Hoffenheim, Borussia announced the signing of Shuto Machino on Saturday. The Japanese player is moving from Holstein Kiel to Borussia-Park and has signed a contract with the Foals until 2029.
“Shuto is a versatile striker who can play in various positions, giving us lots of options in attack,” said Roland Virkus, Borussia’s sporting director. “He proved last season that he can score double digits in the Bundesliga. We are therefore very pleased that he has chosen Borussia.”
Alassane Plea is set to leave Borussia Mönchengladbach, while Tim Kleindienst is out with injury until November. Fohlen reporter Jan Lustig explains who Borussia could bring in as a replacement.
Machino, who moved from his native Japan to second-division Kiel in 2023, attracted attention in the past Bundesliga season with eleven goals in 32 games for Holstein – two of which he scored in a spectacular 4-3 win against his new club Mönchengladbach on matchday 31.
Union Berlin, Hamburger SV, and clubs from England are also said to have been interested in the 25-year-old striker, but Borussia has now won the race. According to kicker, six to eight million euros will flow to Kiel, making Machino the relegated club’s record sale.
While the northern German club loses an important player in its battle for promotion, Gladbach is pinning high hopes on the duo of Machino and Tabakovic following the loss of Kleindienst and the sale of Plea. Unlike the tall Tabakovic, Machino can not only play center forward, but also fill other roles in the offense—and play alongside Kleindienst once he is fit again. However, as this is unlikely to happen before November, Machino is likely to be in demand as a goal scorer in Mönchengladbach early on.
The door must first open for Wanner
The biggest pressure to act is off Borussia with the signing of Machino. However, the market will continue to be closely monitored, as the sale of Alassane Plea means that an additional playmaker could still fit into the squad. to the circle of candidates. However, the door would have to open first for a possible loan. Due to Jamal Musiala’s injury, FC Bayern’s plans for another loan deal are on hold, at least for the time being.