Ibusuki called up by Sevilla

Another Japanese player could soon be playing in La Liga after Sevilla Atletico’s Hiroshi Ibusuki was called up by parent club Sevilla this week.

The 20-year-old striker participated in team practice for the first time on Thursday and is likely to start on the bench in Saturday’s match against Mallorca after being selected for the 18-man squad.

Sevilla are currently without strikers Alvaro Negredo and Frederic Kanoute, who are recovering from injuries.

“If I’m called up I want to make the most of it,” Ibusuki said.

The forward spent the 2009/10 season with Zaragoza B before being loaned to CE Sabadell for 2010/11, and he joined Spanish third division side Sevilla Atletico in the off-season.

While Ibusuki is only likely to be used as a reserve and may not see much playing time, the call-up represents another big step forward for Japanese players in a league widely considered the world’s best.