Taichi Hara to Birmingham: How does he fit?

After signing compatriot Kyogo Furuhashi from Rennes, there could be yet another Japanese star to grace the Blues' shirt. According to Shogo Onuki, Taichi Hara is on Birmingham's shortlist in preparation for their upcoming season back in the Championship.

Who is Taichi Hara?

For many Birmingham City fans, they are already used to their new signings being Japanese, with Tomoki Iwata, Kyogo Furuhashi and Kanya Fujimoto making up their Japanese contingent for the upcoming season so far. With Taichi Hara coming straight from the Japanese J1 League, the chances that Blues fans know who he is are slim, however, it's clear that Birmingham are becoming regular and heavy shoppers in the ever-growing Asian market.

Hara currently plays for Kyoto Sanga FC as a forward, primarily off the left, but often through the middle and even occasionally appearing on the right. He is 6ft 2 inches, making him quite tall for a winger, but also making him a goal threat in the air. In his 19 games this season for Kyoto, he has racked up 2 goals and 7 assists; a decent return in a team that, as of writing, is sitting 3rd in J1 League.

Taichi Hara has been one of Kyoto's better players this season, leading them to their best season in the last 3 years so far, ultimately gaining interest from Europe. He's predominantly a right-footed player; however, he is very capable with his left foot, with both his 2 goals being with the left peg this season, allowing him to be a threat from all sorts of angles and positions.

How does he fit into Birmingham's side?

With the signing of Kyogo Furuhashi, who will likely start regularly alongside Jay Stansfield and Demarai Gray, it seems likely that Taichi Hara will mostly operate off the bench.

Of course, everything is open, as many of Birmingham's attacking options are new faces, and it isn't guaranteed that they'll hit the ground running. What's blatant, though, is that Hara offers something with his height and both-footedness that is unique.

At 26 years old, he has plenty of years in his locker to fight for a starting place and help Birmingham make a push for the holy land, which for them is the Premier League.