Top 10 Asian players in Europe right now: Who can replace Son Heung-min as the new leader?

The landscape of world football is shifting. For over a decade, Son Heung-min stood as the undisputed face of Asian excellence, but his legendary 17-year journey in Europe has finally reached its curtain call. After the 2024/25 season, the 33-year-old icon bid an emotional farewell to Tottenham Hotspur to join Los Angeles FC in the United States. 

He left on the ultimate high, captaining Spurs to a Europa League title, the most prestigious trophy of his storied career. Yet, even as Son departs, the influence of Asian players in Europe remains more potent than ever. 

From the powerhouse defenses of the Bundesliga to the creative hubs of La Liga, a new generation is not just participating; they are leading. But which stars are currently carrying the torch, and who holds the title for the highest transfer fee in Asian history? Let us explore the answers in this detailed report by Nowgoalmobi.

Top 10 Asian Players in Europe right now 

The current hierarchy of Asian players in Europe has largely become a prestigious dual between the two regional superpowers: Japan and South Korea, which serve as the most active and efficient factories for exporting talent to the West. 

At the tenth spot is Ko Itakura, the 29-year-old Japanese defender who has become a cornerstone for Ajax this season, appearing in 14 matches and scoring 1 goal while helping his club maintain a top position in the Eredivisie. Having moved to Europe at 22 with Manchester City in 2019 after stints at Kawasaki Frontale, he later conquered the 2. Bundesliga title with Schalke before moving to Ajax. Meanwhile, on the international stage, he has over 40 caps and was a key starter in Japan’s 2022 World Cup campaign. 

Following him is Ritsu Doan, the 27-year-old "Japanese Messi" who is thriving at Eintracht Frankfurt with 4 goals and 5 assists in 19 appearances this season. Doan began his European adventure at age 19 with Groningen in 2017 and later won the KNVB Cup with PSV Eindhoven, a pedigree he carried into the 2022 World Cup where he famously scored against both Germany and Spain. 

The South Korean presence is strongly felt through Hwang Hee-chan, who despite Wolves' struggles in the Premier League, remains a vital asset with 2 goals in 18 games this season. Hwang arrived in Europe at 19 with RB Salzburg in 2015, winning multiple Austrian doubles before his move to England, and he remains a national hero for his decisive goal against Portugal in the 2022 World Cup that sent Korea to the Round of 16. 

Another Japanese defensive stalwart, Hiroki Ito, has seamlessly integrated into Bayern Munich after his move in 2024, appearing in 8 matches with 2 assists this season while Bayern leads the Bundesliga. Ito’s journey started at age 22 with Stuttgart in 2021, and he has since become a regular for the Samurai Blue, appearing in major Asian Cup and World Cup qualifiers. 

At the sixth position, the creative Lee Kang-in of PSG is proving his world-class status with 18 appearances and 1 goal this season, already securing a Ligue 1 title and a French Cup since his move from Mallorca. Having joined Valencia’s academy at just 10 years old, Lee won the Copa del Rey in 2019 and was the Golden Ball winner at the 2019 U-20 World Cup.

Takehiro Tomiyasu remains a defensive master at Ajax. Tomiyasu moved to Belgium at 19 in 2018 and has since won the FA Community Shield, while also being a veteran of two Asian Cups and the 2022 World Cup for Japan. 

Kaoru Mitoma continues to dazzle at Brighton with 2 goals in 13 matches this season, cementing his reputation as the Premier League’s most dangerous dribbler. Mitoma moved to England at age 24 in 2021 and quickly set the record for most goals by a Japanese player in a single PL season, a form he replicated in Japan’s historic 2022 World Cup run.

The second spot is held by the "Monster" Kim Min-jae, who has reclaimed his starting role at Bayern Munich with 20 appearances this season, contributing to their defensive dominance. Kim’s European rise began at age 24 with Fenerbahce before his historic Scudetto win with Napoli in 2023, where he was named Serie A's Best Defender, and he remains the leader of South Korea's defense with over 60 international caps. 

Finally, at the top of the list is Takefusa Kubo, the 24-year-old superstar of Real Sociedad who has 2 goals and 3 assists in 18 La Liga games this season. Kubo, who entered Barcelona’s La Masia at age 10 and later joined Real Madrid at 18, has overcome every challenge to become La Liga's Player of the Month and a vital leader for Japan, having represented them at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 World Cup.

Top 10 Asian Players in Europe right now 

Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)

Kim Min-jae (Bayern Munich)

Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton)

Lee Kang-in (PSG)

Takehiro Tomiyasu (Ajax)

Hiroki Ito (Bayern Munich)

Hwang Hee-chan (Wolves)

Ritsu Doan (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Ko Itakura (Ajax)

Abdukodir Khusanov (Man City)

Most expensive Asian transfers

The record for the most expensive Asian player in Europe belongs to Kim Min-jae, whose €50 million move from Napoli to Bayern Munich in July 2023 shattered all previous benchmarks. Before his arrival in Germany, Kim enjoyed a legendary season in Italy, where he was the backbone of a Napoli side that secured their first Scudetto in 33 years. 

Since joining Bayern, the 29-year-old has made over 60 appearances, securing a Bundesliga title in 2024. While he faced stiff competition for starts under Thomas Tuchel, he has remained a vital asset for current manager Vincent Kompany.

Following Kim in history is the rising star Abdukodir Khusanov, who joined Manchester City from Lens in 2025 for a staggering €40 million. Before the move, Khusanov was a revelation in Ligue 1, showcasing maturity beyond his 20 years. In third place is Shoya Nakajima, whose £29 million move from Portimonense to Al Duhail in 2019 was a record at the time, though his career later stalled. 

Son Heung-min holds the fourth spot with his £22 million move from Leverkusen to Tottenham in 2015. During his decade in London, Son made 454 appearances, scored 173 goals, and won the Premier League Golden Boot before his 2025 Europa League triumph. 

Closing the top five is the pioneer Hidetoshi Nakata, whose £19 million move from Roma to Parma in 2001 remained the record for 14 years. Nakata won the Scudetto with Roma and the Coppa Italia with Parma, cementing his status as a global icon.

Top 5 most expensive Asian transfers:

Kim Min-jae: Napoli -> Bayern Munich (2023) - €50M

Abdukodir Khusanov: Lens -> Man City (2025) - €40M

Shoya Nakajima: Portimonense -> Al Duhail (2019) - £29M

Son Heung-min: Bayer Leverkusen -> Tottenham (2015) - £22M

Hidetoshi Nakata: AS Roma -> Parma (2001) - £19M

This analysis by nowgoalmobi.net has provided you with the ten most prominent Asian players in Europe today, along with the most historic transfer deals in history. If you wish to stay updated with the latest football news, unique perspectives through in-depth analysis, and collect valuable data before every match, visit our homepage at nowgoalmobi.net.