Kovač: Yamamoto has real potential, but patience needed

Teenage Japanese midfielder Takato Yamamoto has impressed Niko Kovač in pre-season.

T. Yamamoto

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What happened. Niko Kovač praised Takato Yamamoto's potential after his first appearance for Dortmund, but stressed the need for patience.

• Yamamoto joined Dortmund reserves on loan from Gamba Osaka in July.
• He scored in a pre-season friendly against Rot-Weiß Oberhausen.
• Current plan is for him to play with U23s in 2026/27.

“I saw real potential, and that's positive for us.”

— Niko Kovač

Dortmund will tour Japan from 26 July to 2 August, then face Arsenal in London.

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