Takuto Miki, the 20-year-old forward from Japan, has left an indelible mark on the Indian football community with his fearless style of play at Shillong Lajong. Despite playing just 6 games, his impact on the SSA stadium was a sight to behold every matchday, leaving Shillong Lajong fans saddened by his abrupt departure.
How did you hear about Indian football?
Yeah, so as you know, after I left my club in Indonesia, I was searching for a new club. My agent told me that I might get an offer from I-League, and I knew about the quality of I-League, and I was excited to play in this league. Before coming to India, I knew about the ISL, Indian NT, and even I-League, and I knew the Indian local players were very good.
What was life like in Shillong?
Shillong was a very beautiful city, and life was very comfortable there. The weather was very similar to Japan, so I was used to the conditions!
Were you surprised about the quality of the players in Shillong Lajong?
Like I said before, I knew about the quality that Indian players possess. When I got there, however, I was surprised to see how hard the players work. The people of Shillong are very football-oriented, and I could see that on the field and in the training sessions.
Why did you leave Shillong Lajong?
Obviously, I cannot say everything, but there were a few differences between me and the coaching staff. I had a different plan for the season, and the coaching staff had a different plan, which is normal in football. There were also differences in the tactics of the game. I have no bad feeling towards the coaching staff, they are obviously wonderful. You know Bobby is our coach, and this is his first experience coaching a professional club, and he is a great person, but I wanted to learn from a coach with more experience so I could improve faster.
What are your next steps and what is your dream?
Haha, I know there are a lot of rumours about me! What I will say is that since I terminated my contract early, I know how to wait until January 2024 to see where I go next. As you guys know, I have an offer from an ISL club, and I want to try the top league of India. I also have an offer from the Malaysian top division, so I am still deciding where to go next. My dream is to play in the AFC Champions League, and I hope I can get there one day!
Finally, what would you like to say to the fans of Shillong Lajong?
The fans were a great asset in my football career, and I want to thank you guys for helping me grow up! This encounter will be a treasure to me forever!
Back to Main PageFollow ISL & I-League Transfer News on Twitter