Real Madrid: Kubo given galáctico send-off by FC Tokyo
18-year-old Takefusa Kubo, who is to join next term's Real Madrid Castilla squad, said farewell to the FC Tokyo fans on Saturday.
Real Madrid's Japanese signing Takefusa Kubo has been given a rousing send-off by FC Tokyo, where he has spent the last three years since leaving Barcelona.
Kubo Real Madrid move announced earlier this month
Kubo, whose four-year spell in Barca's youth set-up was cut short in 2015 as a result of the FIFA sanctions handed to the Catalans over irregularities in transfers involving international minors, agreed a six-year deal with Madrid this month.
Having recently returned to Japan from Copa América duty with the country's national team, the 18-year-old was in the stands to see Tokyo claim a 4-2 J1 League victory over Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday.
"From Tokyo to the world" banner unfurled for Kubo
After the final whistle at the Ajinomoto Stadium, fans of the club unfurled a banner for Kubo - written in Spanish - bearing the message: "From Tokyo to the world".
The starlet, who scored six goals in 30 appearances for FC Tokyo, was also presented with a bouquet of flowers by club captain Keigo Higashi, and gave a farewell speech to the supporters, with the crowd chanting his name throughout.
In addition, he underwent a curious goodbye ritual that involved him being slapped on the back of the head by Tokyo's players as he made his way through a guard of honour formed by his former team-mates.
Kubo to join Castilla squad but train regularly with seniors
The attacking midfielder is to go into next season's Castilla squad, but is expected to train regularly with Zinedine Zidane's first-team group.