COMMERCE CITY, Colo. - Colorado Rapids 2 announced today the club has signed midfielder Yosuke Hanya to a new contract through the 2024 MLS NEXT Pro season with a club option for the 2025 season. In addition, the club confirmed that Hanya has begun the process to obtain permanent resident status in the United States.
“We are excited that Yosuke will continue his journey with us. His contributions to the success of Rapids 2 have earned him opportunities with the First Team and our hope is that he can earn more of these opportunities as we move forward,” said Brian Crookham, Rapids 2 General Manager.
Hanya, 24, joined Rapids 2 at the beginning of the inaugural MLS NEXT Pro season. In his first year with the club, Hanya logged four goals and four assists while leading the team with 22 appearances (21 starts). His performances across the team’s inaugural season earned Hanya the club’s first-ever Rapids 2 Player of the Year award.
This season, Hanya leads Rapids 2 alongside Rémi Cabral with 12 goals, currently the fourth-highest tally in MLS NEXT Pro. The Japanese international has also recorded six assists across 21 appearances (19 starts), placing him in third in the league overall.
Hanya also earned a handful of call ups to the Rapids' senior side on short-term agreements for the team’s matches against the Philadelphia Union, Atlanta United FC, Real Salt Lake and FC Cincinnati this season. He made his official MLS debut on May 17, 2023, in the match against Atlanta, entering as a stoppage-time substitute. Hanya totaled two appearances for the Rapids, playing 47 minutes across two competitions.
Prior to joining the Rapids organization, the Tokyo, Japan, native spent three years at the University of Massachusetts Amherst where he totaled two goals and 17 assists across three seasons.
TRANSACTION: Colorado Rapids 2 extend midfielder Yosuke Hanya’s contract through the 2024 season with an option for the 2025 season.
Yosuke Hanya
Pronunciation: YO-skay HAN-yah
Position: Midfielder
Height: 5-7
Weight: 150
Birthdate: January 30, 1999
Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
Nationality: Japan
