Dani Gómez close to joining Japan’s J1 League

Dani Gómez is on the verge of joining Japan’s J1 League. According to Sport, the Madrid-born striker would sign a one-season contract in the country, with the deal expected to be completed soon—Sport says the agreement is already in place.

Heading for Japan

At 28 years old, the forward was among the few players from Real Zaragoza left without a team after the club were relegated last season. Sport adds that, from the start of the summer, the J1 League option had been on his radar, even if talks only really moved in the final days.

Sport also notes that Gómez didn’t just have one route: he had interest from Segunda clubs, received firm offers from Russia, Greece and Cyprus, and explored several possibilities in Japan. The proposal he’s now close to taking, per Sport, has satisfied him both financially and in terms of the chance to experience a new country and competition.

What he leaves at Zaragoza

Gómez joined Zaragoza in January 2025, via a transfer agreement from Levante. In the run-in of the 24-25 campaign he scored four goals. The following season began with him as a regular starter under Gabi, but after Sellés arrived, he was pushed to the margins—he even came close to leaving in January before staying. With David Navarro, he returned to prominence and finished as the team’s top scorer in the relegation season, netting nine times.

Overall, Dani Gómez played 48 official matches for Zaragoza (34 as a starter) and scored 13 goals. After last season ended and the club dropped down, Sport says his contract was terminated—he had been tied up until 2028.

Finally, Sport adds that if the J1 move is confirmed, from the 26 players whose contracts ended after the relegation only Insua, Radovanovic, Toni Moya, Guti and Paulino would still be without a club, with Paulino not yet fully recovered from a knee injury.