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WOLVERHAMPTON – Pathways Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Steve Davis has ordered Justin Hubner to join Cerezo Osaka's first team during his loan spell. Davis stated that Hubner had proven his quality with Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21, so the J-League provided an opportunity for him to develop.
Wolverhampton Wanderers announced the transfer of Justin Hubner to Cerezo Osaka on loan until December 2024.
While playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers U-21 in the 2023/2024 season, Justin Hubner has shown extraordinary performance in defense. Despite his role as a defender, Hubner managed to score four goals in 15 matches in all competitions.
Steve Davis revealed that Wolverhampton Wanderers had planned a loan move for Hubner, with Cerezo Osaka needing a centre-back following an injury to one of their key players. Davis emphasized that this agreement was also supported by the good relations between Indonesia and Japan.
“We were looking for a loan opportunity for Justin, perhaps in the summer rather than now, but the opportunity came,” said Steve Davis in Wolverhampton Wanderers' official statement, Wednesday (13/3/2024).
“With Cerezo Osaka's need for a central defender due to the injury to its mainstay player, and Justin's links with Indonesia in the Asian market, we felt this would be a positive step for him,” he added.
Davis also praised Hubner's performance with Wolverhampton Wanderers Under-21s, calling the loan move to Cerezo Osaka a positive step in the 20-year-old's career.
“He has played very well with the U-21 team and had a solid season. He just needs a bigger challenge, and the J-League will give him the necessary step forward at this time,” he explained.
Furthermore, Davis revealed that Hubner had experience competing against strong Japanese players while playing for the Indonesian National Team in the 2023 Asian Cup. Davis ordered Hubner to find a place in the first team during his loan period at Cerezo Osaka.
“His experience with Indonesia has equipped him to play in Japan and perform well. He has to prove his consistency in the first team for one season, and that will be the biggest challenge for him,” he concluded.
Justin Hubner is one of the key players for the Indonesian national team in the 2023 Asian Cup, where he appeared in all four matches without being replaced, strengthening the back line with his height of 187 cm.
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