Injured Japanese soccer star Mitoma Kaoru has had successful surgery on his left hamstring.
Mitoma, who plays for England’s Brighton & Hove Albion, clutched his leg in a league match on May 9, fell to the ground and was replaced.
The club announced Monday that Mitoma is focusing on rehabilitation and aiming to return to action next season.
High hopes had been on Mitoma for the 2026 World Cup, which opens in June. But Japan’s head coach, Moriyasu Hajime, said it would be difficult for him to return during the tournament and did not select him in the national squad.