COMMERCE CITY, Colo. — The Colorado Rapids announced today that they have called up midfielder Yosuke Hanya from the club’s MLS NEXT Pro side on a Short-Term Agreement. Hanya will be available for selection for the Rapids’ match against the Philadelphia Union on Saturday, May 13, at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park (7:30 p.m. MT; Apple TV - MLS Season Pass, Altitude Sports Radio 92.5 FM).
“Yosuke has impressed since joining our club last season and has been a key part of the success Rapids 2 has enjoyed this year,” said Colorado Rapids President Pádraig Smith. “His call-up for our match this Saturday is not only a testament to Yosuke’s talent and work ethic, but also the great work our Rapids 2 staff are doing to create an environment in which our young players can continue their development and earn opportunities like this with our first team.”
Hanya joined Rapids 2 ahead of the club’s inaugural season in 2022 following three years at University of Massachusetts Amherst where he totaled two goals and 17 assists across three seasons. The Tokyo, Japan, native was previously with Tokyo Gakugei University for a season prior to joining the Minutemen. Across 23 appearances in his first season with Rapids 2, Hanya scored four goals and recorded three assists. His performances led him to be named the first-ever Rapids 2 Player of the Year. This season, the 24-year-old midfielder leads MLS NEXT Pro in scoring with seven goals, while adding on two assists through six games.
Per the 2023 MLS Roster Rules and Regulations, a club may sign a player, age 25 or younger during the league season, from its affiliate (MLS NEXT Pro) to a maximum of four Short-Term Agreements (up to four-day contracts) each season (maximum of 16 days). An individual player may be included on up to four MLS league season match rosters each season, however, that player may appear in no more than two MLS league season matches. An individual player may appear in any number of non-league games during the terms of his four Short-Term Agreements.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids call up midfielder Yosuke Hanya on a short-term agreement on May 12, 2023.
Yosuke Hanya
Pronunciation: YO-skay HAN-yah
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 150
Birthdate: January 30, 1999
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Nationality: Japan
