Socceroos marksman Mitchell Duke joins Japanese second division club Fagiano Okayama

Socceroos attacker Mitchell Duke, who was on loan to Western Sydney Wanderers last season, has joined a Japanese club.

Mitch Duke (right) challenges Spain’s Marc Cucurella at the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: Masashi Hara/Getty Images

Socceroos striker Mitchell Duke has returned to Japanese club football after signing a deal with J2 outfit Fagiano Okayama.

Duke, who was also an over-age player in the Olyroos squad for the Tokyo Olympics, played in the J1 league for Shimizu S-Pulse from 2015 to 2019.

Since leaving S-Pulse, the 30-year-old former Central Coast Marniners and Western Sydney Wanderers marksman has floated between the A-League and Saudi Arabia, where he played for Al-Taawoun.

Tokyo 2020 Olympics journey is over unfortunately earlier than expected as we were chasing a medal but it wasn’t meant to be! I am excited about what the future holds for Australian football! Thank you to all Aussies for the incredible support 💛💚 #tokyo2020pic.twitter.com/xQ9JcoMKta

— Mitchell Duke (@mitchduke8) July 29, 2021

“I’ve played in the J-League before, but I love playing in Japan,” Duke told his new club’s website.

“I feel that Fagiano Okayama is an ambitious club that wants to succeed, and I am happy to be able to play with such a wonderful team.

“We will do our best to contribute to the promotion of the team to J1.”

Fagiano Okayama is in 13th spot on the J2 ladder after 23 rounds.

The J2 season, which has gone into recess during the Olympics, resumes on Monday, with Duke’s new club hosting 15th-place Renofa Yamaguchi.

Originally published as Socceroos marksman Mitchell Duke joins Japanese second division club Fagiano Okayama