Since joining VfB from Japanese second-tier side Jubilo Iwata in summer 2021, Ito has developed into a key first-team player. The defender, 24, was called up by Japan for the first time in June 2022 and is currently on ten caps for his country. Ito has made 70 appearances in all competitions for VfB to date, registering two goals and four assists.
VfB sporting director Fabian Wohlgemuth: “Hiroki Ito embodies our ambition to improve the quality of our team. He’s an intelligent, technical and physically strong player who is among the best in the league in his position. Hiroki has undergone an extraordinary development at VfB in recent years and is one of the key pillars of our sporting philosophy. We’re pleased we were able to agree an early contract extension with him and that Hiroki will continue to wear our shirt.”
Hiroki Ito: “I’m very happy to have extended my contract at VfB Stuttgart. I’d like to say a big thank-you to the club management, my family and my agent. I’m very happy in Stuttgart. Our home games in particular, with our fans and the extraordinary atmosphere in the stadium, are very special to me. I’m very pleased with my development at VfB. When I came to Stuttgart from the Japanese second division in 2021, I’d never have believed I’d go on to play so many games and get called up to the national team a year later. I’ll continue to work hard, give 100 per cent and fight on the pitch in VfB colours.”