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BRIGHTON’S FA Cup hero Kaoru Mitoma is, literally, a student of the game.The Japanese winger, 25, has been a sensation for the Seagulls – scoring against Arsenal and Liverpool this season.
Brilliant Kaoru Mitoma is literally a student of the gameCredit: Instagram
Mitoma jumps for joy as his late winner sinks Liverpool in the FA CupCredit: Reuters
But, at the age of 19, he doubted his own ability and chose to snub a professional contract in his homeland in favour of a degree.
He enrolled at the prestigious University of Tsukuba, where he studied physical education and learned about sports science and his body.
It was there he starred in the college team, before writing his thesis on the art of dribbling – a skill that has served him well in the Premier League and seen him torture the likes of Ben White and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Not ready physically
Mitoma began training with four-time champions Kawasaki Frontale at the age of 11.
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After impressing coaches, he was offered a professional contract.
However, the teenager admirably turned it down – admitting his shortcomings.
“I just felt I wasn’t ready physically and that I wouldn’t be in the first team immediately,” Mitoma told The Athletic.
“I thought the best step was to get more playing time and get better.”
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Instead, he signed up to do Physical Education at the University of Tsukuba – which is consistently ranked in Japan’s top 10 universities.
It not only gave Mitoma the opportunity to understand the human body, it also allowed him to blossom as a footballer.
In the Far East, playing university football is recognised as a higher standard than its European equivalent.
Mitoma was selected to represent Japan at the 2017 and 2019 Universiade tournaments, as well as the 2018 Asian Games and the 2019 Toulon Tournament with the U23 national team.
Playing in the Kanto University Soccer League with Tsukuba, he was also named in the all-league XI in his final three seasons.
He also celebrated winning the Denso Cup in 2019 with his team-mates.
All this while majoring in physical education.
Mitoma, wearing the No9 jersey, was a star for his university football team
In Tsukuba Mitoma studied physical education and made plenty of friends
Dribbling wizard
Renowned for his pace and unique dribbling ability, in his final year at university Mitoma was tasked with writing his thesis.
He chose to focus on the art of dribbling – thinking of his own skills and what makes a good dribbler.
“It was the easiest subject for me to choose because I love football and dribbling is what I love to do,” he explained.
“There were no rules on how much to write, but I progressed with it by analysing my team-mates that were good and not-so-good dribblers and trying to find out why that was.
“I put cameras on the heads of my team-mates to study where and what they were looking at and how their opponents were looking at them.
“I learned that the good players weren’t looking at the ball. They would look ahead, trap the ball without looking down at their feet. That was the difference.
“I was one of the better dribblers at that time, but not exceptional.”
Putting his own thesis to practice, he wrote: “I am conscious of shifting the opponent’s centre of gravity. If I can move the opponent’s body, I win.”
He concluded: “The power of my characteristic dribbling has doubled.”
The art of dribbling was the subject of Mitoma’s thesisCredit: Getty
Graduation & making it pro
In 2018, Mitoma signed pro for Kawasaki Frontale – finally making his debut in 2020 after the Covid outbreak halted the football world.
Aged 22, in his first full debut season, he hit double figures – becoming just the fifth rookie to score as many in J-League history.
Even more impressively, the midfielder notched 12 assists – more than anyone else in the competition.
A meagre 18 months after he handed his dribbling thesis in – he was signed by Brighton.
The fee – just £3million – appears to be a bargain now.
Last season, he spent time on loan at Union SG in Belgium’s top league – where he acclimatised to European football and scored eight times in 29 games.
This campaign, ex-boss Graham Potter thrust the talent into the first team – used initially as an impact player from the bench to bamboozle defenders with tired legs.
The World Cup break also acted as a springboard for the wideman.
After coming through the ranks, Mitoma shined for Japan’s national teamCredit: AFP
Just 18 months after completing his thesis, Mitoma was signed by Brighton for £3mCredit: Rex
Qatar
Many felt Mitoma was underused by Japan in Qatar – making all his four appearances as a sub.
But, that didn’t stop him from playing a major role in the most controversial moment of the tournament.
His cut-back, when the ball was seemingly out against Spain, contributed to his country’s 2-1 triumph – knocking Germany out at the group stages.
Like a Shakespeare play, there was tragedy too – when he missed a spot kick in the last-16 defeat to Croatia.
Since then, Mitoma has returned as a man on a mission.
He has mustered three goals in five Premier League games, including a recent stunner against Leicester City in a thrilling 2-2 draw.
Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool were also dumped out of the FA Cup by Mitoma’s quick-feet and calmness in front of goal – deep in injury time – as he volleyed home.
Controversially, Mitoma assisted Japan’s winner against Spain in the World CupCredit: AP
Mitoma scored against Arsenal at the Emirates in the League CupCredit: AFP
With Brighton letting the likes of Leandro Trossard go, and the increasing likelihood of Moises Caicedo leaving one day soon too, it is almost inevitable their new talisman will command a substantial fee.
Expect it to draw in another massive profit on the meagre £3million they paid.
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FOOTBALL may have been a good earner for Martin Braithwaite, but it’s outside the beautiful game he’s made his fortune.The much-maligned striker, 31, is currently plying his trade at Espanyol.
Martin Braithwaite now plays for Espanyol, after flopping at Barcelona
Outside of football, Denmark striuker Braithwaite has made a £216m fortune
But, in truth, he could retire tomorrow thanks to his incredible business acumen.
The Denmark star’s companies are believed to be worth a staggering £216million.
His biggest is a property business in the US that offers affordable housing in historically black neighbourhoods.
Braithwaite has also invested in a clothing line, as well as a high-end restaurant with entrepreneur wife Anne-Laure.
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While, she also runs her own healthy meal delivery service – meaning they have an empire that even Lord Sugar would be enviable of.
It started with homes
Back in 2017, Braithwaite invested £617,000 with his brother Philip Michael into NYCE Companies in the US.
In its first year, it grew to be worth a stunning £7.2million. Now it’s said to be worth somewhere in the region of £180million.
What they did, essentially, was something desperately needed for communities in Philadelphia and New Jersey.
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They went into areas associated with black Americans and built affordable homes.
Within six years, they have around 1,500 apartments – and are constructing a further 500.
“I always had this American side, and I think maybe that’s why my mindset is maybe more American: dreaming big, doing amazing things, writing goals down,” Braithwaite told The Philadelphia Inquirer.
“In Denmark, we have an amazing system protecting the people. Everyone is good. No one needs anything. In America, it’s not really the same thing.”
Alongside his brother Philip Michael, Braithwaite has established a huge property portfolio
Their venture NYCE Companies provides luxury and affordable housing
NYCE properties are found in historically black neighbourhoods in New Jersey and Philadelphia
The Tech mansion
The forward-thinking pair have also established The Temple – a smart home project aimed at tech-savvy and business-minded students and creators.
Found near Temple University’s campus in Philly, the building is modelled after Silicon Valley’s famous ‘hacker house’ where young entrepreneurs live and work together as they being their startups.
High-tech devices, including virtual reality leasing, AI-powered VIP concierge, and keyless/facial recognition make The Temple the place to be if you want to be the next Mark Zuckerberg.
It was set up with a goal to narrow the Millennial Wealth Gap, a rising economic disparity between white and non-white millennials.
Braithwaite, who has been a major activist in the Black Lives Matter movement, is keen to provide African-Americans greater opportunities in the tech industry and entrepreneurship.
They have set themselves a target to create 100,000 millennial millionaires by 2030.
The Temple is a smart home project aimed at tech-savvy and business-minded students and creators
Food and Fashion
Not content with a property portfolio, Braithwaite also has an interest in fashion and food.
Alongside his gorgeous wife Anne-Laure he runs a clothing label and a restaurant.
Trente is a women’s line that is believed to have enjoyed huge success in her native France, since it was set up in 2019.
Martin and self-confessed foodie Anne-Laure also co-own a restaurant on Barcelona’s Gava beach called Gave.
It specialises in vegetarian dishes, and came soon after Braithwaite moved to the city from Leganes.
Which led to his wife’s next venture.
Braithwaite’s wife Anne-Laure runs a fashion label and they co-own a restaurant
Foodies the Braithwaites believe in healthy eating
The Braithwaite family own a beachside restaurant that serves vegan food
Their latest creation
Aside from raising four children and maintaining a football career, the Braithwaite’s latest idea is an offshoot from their restaurant.
Braithwaite’s Kitchen provides healthy meals at home – again elaborate vegan and vegetarian dishes – designed especially for busy families and athletes that want to eat healthy but don’t have the knowledge or time to cook.
‘Each meal plan is personalised to every customers needs,’ they boast on their stylish website.
Prices aren’t listed, and isn’t known how well the business is doing yet – given it’s in its infancy stage.
However, you can bet it’ll be a success if past ventures are anything to go by.
Braithwaite’s Kitchen provides healthy meals delivered to your home
Forbes rich list
Because of his incredible success away from football, he made the list of richest in sport on Forbes’ annual list last year.
His earnings of £85,000-per-week at previous club Barcelona were dwarfed by his team-mates.
However, his wealth boosted by his companies meant the former Middlesbrough striker was the richest at club the AFTER Lionel Messi left for PSG.
Braithwaite was asked to mutually end his contract earlier in the summer when Xavi deemed him surplus to requirements and no one submitted bids for him.
But Braithwaite refused, allegedly demanding a £4m pay-off with his contract paid out in full. 
Just hours after his release from Barcelona, the free agent signed a three-year contract with city-rivals Espanyol.
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When it rains, it pours for Braithwaite who seemingly can’t do anything wrong when it comes to making money. More

FOOTBALLERS’ Wags have become a force of their own in recent years.From hogging the front pages as celebrities in their own right to branching out independently with their own business ventures, many are happy to step out of the shadow of their other halves.
Wanda Nara is one of many Wags who have rebelledCredit: Instagram @wandanara
Mauro Icardi and Wag Wanda in happier times before their splitCredit: Instagram @mauroicardi
But, maybe, these women took it a little too far when they dissed their player’s clubs, cities they play in and even rival players.
Here’s a selection of footballers’ Wags who have rebelled.
Wanda Nara
One of the most fiery Wags around, Argentine beauty Wanda is the ex-wife of PSG forward Mauro Icardi.
When Inter Milan brought in Romelu Lukaku to replace her former husband, the blonde beauty was not impressed.
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After it was posed to her on Italian TV that Lukaku was more of a team player than Icardi, she retored: “It would be good to see [Lukaku] in big games too.
“He hasn’t scored in the Champions League, he’ll watch the knockout rounds on TV.”
She added: “The last No. 9 only scored about 150 goals for Inter.”
Sara Gundogan
Despite boasting plenty of restaurants in the Michelin guide, Manchester’s cuisine doesn’t cut it for Man City ace Ilkay Gundogan’s wife, Sara.
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When quizzed on her favourite restaurant in the city, she said: “Sorry I’m sad to be honest but nothing. I tried so bad to find a good restaurant but… horrible food everywhere.
“Can’t find a real Italian or good sushi or just fresh food .. everything frozen. Restaurants here are just focus on making money with drinks and shot like night clubs not quality food.
“Maybe in London but in Manchester nothing. I’m sorry.”
Sara is married to German star Ilkay Gundogan
Foodie Sara Gundogan was not best pleased with Manchester’s food scene
Georgina Rodriguez
Bona fide celeb Georgina is not one to mince her words – and it was ex-Portugal boss Fernando Santos who felt her wrath during the World Cup in Qatar.
Santos, a father-figure to her husband Cristiano Ronaldo, made the difficult decision to drop CR7 against Morocco.
Portugal went on to lose the game 1-0 and were knocked out at the quarter-final stage.
After the game, Georgina shared on Instagram: “Today your friend and coach made a bad decision. That friend for whom you have so many words of admiration and respect.
“The same as when you got into the game, he saw how everything changed, but it was too late.
“The best player in the world, his most powerful weapon, cannot be underestimated.
“You can’t stand up for someone who doesn’t deserve it either. Life gives us lessons.
“Today we have not lost, we have learned.”
Glam Georgina Rodriguez likes to speak her mind
Georgina defended partner Cristiano Ronaldo after he was dropped by Portugal at the World CupCredit: Instagram @cristiano
Maja Nilsson
Victor Lindelof’s missus Maja is a blogger from Sweden – with a huge social media following.
So, it wouldn’t have gone unnoticed when she blasted Man Utd’s prices for their ‘disgusting’ boxes at Old Trafford.
“Here the players have the option to rent a box and I’m not even going to tell you for how much but a disgusting amount of money,” she said on her podcast Livet På Läktaren.
“And if you don’t buy one you’re considered to be a loser.
“But having a box is wonderful because you have your own waiter.”
Swedish blogger is the wife of Victor LindelofCredit: Instagram @majanilssonlindelof
Maja Nilsson blasted his club Man Utd for their overpriced boxes
Edurne Garcia
While crosstown rival Sara had it in for Manchester’s restaurant scene, pop star Edurne dislikes the whole city itself.
In fact, David De Gea’s wife branded the place “uglier than the back of a fridge”.
Madrid-born Garciaalso told Spanish TV the only reason she spends time in Manchester is because of her beau’s football career.
Pablo Motos, host of entertainment show El Hormiguero, kicked off the discussion asking: “I’ve been told Manchester is uglier than the back of a fridge.”
Garcia replied: “It’s not very nice, that’s for sure. You have to hunt out specific places, the nicer places.
“But even then Spain is nicer. The reason I like it is because David’s there. With him being there, everything looks wonderful.”
Singer Edurne Garcia agreed that Manchester is an ugly cityCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Garcia said she only lives in Manchester because of husband David De GeaCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Eliana Guercio
If their boxes are getting slammed, it’s the way Man Utd handle transfers that also got under the skin of this particular Wag.
Sergio Romero’s wife Eliana was fuming they didn’t let him leave for Everton on transfer deadline day in 2020, after all he had given the club too.
She blasted on Instagram: “Sergio Romero worked hard for the club. The last trophy they won, they lifted it with him. He helped the team reach four finals/semi-finals and then he was left on the bench only to lose them all.”
She then pleaded with them to let him go – and demanded respect for her husband.
Eliana Guercio blasted Man Utd’s transfer policy
Guercio demanded they let husband Sergio Romero leave for EvertonCredit: Getty
Jessica Contento
When ex-Arsenal star Lukas Podolski generalised Wags and insisted they “got on his nerves”, Jessica – the wife of German star Diego Contento – barked back.
She told BILD: “In general, I cannot understand his statement. Here the cliché is taken up again, against which many player women, including myself, have been fighting for years.
“That’s not okay, he lumps everyone together.”
Contento continued: “The fact is that with such a statement you have no chance of being perceived differently, for example as an entrepreneur, mother or working woman who does not depend on the man.
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“But when you make such a statement as such a great personality, you reinforce the negative image of the player’s wife, with which many women struggle.
“That also speaks against the principles that a football player pursues in a club.”
Jessica Contento does not like to be generalised as a Wag
Contento took umbrage to Lukas Podolski’s comment about Wags getting on his nerves More

TEENAGE sensation David Ozoh is off and running with his Crystal Palace career – one that is expected to be glittering.The 17-year-old was introduced in the final moments against Newcastle on Saturday night and became the club’s youngest ever Premier League player – beating George Ndah’s record from 1992.
Teenage sensation David Ozoh made his debut for Crystal Palace last weekendCredit: Rex
Ozoh made history to become Palace’s youngest ever Premier League playerCredit: Getty
“It means a lot,” Ozoh told Palace TV after the game.
“You put in all the hard work for this moment. It’s a dream come true. I can’t believe it – it’s honestly the best feeling ever.
“When I got told to warm-up I was nervous, but when I got on, I felt good and obviously just tried to play it simple, make a few passes and grow into the game.
“Honestly, coming on in this game was crazy. It was a game that we really wanted to win, and to be put on in this type of game shows how much trust the manager has in me, so I’m really pleased.”
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Born in Spain
It was a journey that began in Spain, rather than South London.
Ozoh was born to Nigerian parents in Valencia, where he was raised until he was eight until moving to Croydon.
“My parents decided to go there for better opportunities at the time, but I moved to the UK when I was eight-years-old,” he said.
“I came to Croydon; it was the first place I moved to, and I remember it like it was yesterday.
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“Valencia is really different to Croydon! It’s hot, it’s really good. I enjoyed my time there, so I was quite sad when I [initially] moved here, but it was for the better. We came here for a better opportunity.
“I was speaking fluent Spanish, but no one believes me anymore! I forgot a bit of my Spanish – when people ask me to say things, I can’t really – but I’m trying to pick it back up.”
Palace journey
Ozoh showed an aptitude for football from a young age, and was offered places in the academies of a number of clubs in his native Spain.
However, with his parents moving to the UK, he was forced to turn them down.
Instead, he joined Palace’s academy not long after arriving on our shores.
But it wasn’t until U15 level where he found his best position.
“[In the early days] I played literally everywhere. I played as striker, winger, centre-back… but in the Under-15s season I played central midfield and I felt like it just clicked.
Back in August Ozoh signed his first professional contractCredit: Instagram
Ozoh was an unused sub against Chelsea at Stamford BridgeCredit: Rex
Ozoh in action in the EFL Papa John’s Trophy earlier this seasonCredit: Pinnacle
“It was brilliant for me, and ever since then, I’ve never looked back. I’ve always been strong on the ball, being fast, playing quick. I’ve been developing the skills I already have and making them better to progress into the first-team.
“I’ve always been bigger than my age group. That’s why they’ve tried to play me up a few times: to test me, and see that it’s not just about my strength, it’s also about my technical ability. I think I’ve done well when they’ve brought me up.”
Learning from the best
Before he ran on to the pitch at Selhurst Park last Saturday night, Ozoh received a pat on the back from manager Patrick Vieira.
A midfield enforcer in his day, the youngster is learning the ropes from the Arsenal legend about his key position.
“Patrick Vieira is a good manager. I just try and learn so much from him, as we played in the same position,” Ozoh explained.
“He’s good to me, he speaks to me after training to let me know what I can do better, and I really like working with him.”
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Ozoh, celebrating with Victor Akinwale, has been with Palace since he was eightCredit: Pinnacle
Patrick Vieira has been a mentor to OzohCredit: Reuters
The future is bright for Ozoh in South LondonCredit: Rex
Ozoh has been an ever-present in the U21’s this season – featuring in 14 of the 15 games he was eligible to play for since signing his first professional contract back in August.
It won’t be long before he’s ever-present in the first team, given his rapid rise in the game. More