How HSV snapped up Tatsuya Ito before Manchester City
Hamburger SV were quick to sign Tatsuya Ito in 2015 before Manchester City were able to strike a deal for the Japanese starlet.
In 2015, Hamburger SV signed Tatsuya Ito, who was one of the bright spots of the club's 2017/18 season, from Japanese club Kashiwa Reysol.
However, the 20-year-old winger could have joined Manchester City if Hamburger SV hadn't acted fast at a youth tournament in Dubai, junior chief scout Benjamin Scherner recalls.
"We discovered Ito at a tournament in Dubai where our under-17 team played. There, our delegation with Bernd Wehmeyer and above all Sven Marr made a deal with Tatsu's coaches that he would come to Hamburg. So we were able to snap him up before Manchester City who were also at the tournament and who wanted him. Sometimes, you have to be fast," Scherner tells Hamburger Abendblatt.
Despite the club's relegation, Hamburger SV are planning to hold onto Ito who appeared 20 times and made three assists last season. His contract runs until 2021.