107 games, 28 goals and an Australia Cup run - Sutherland land major NPL recruit

Sutherland Sharks have landed a major recruit ahead of the 2027 NPL NSW season, signing former Japan youth international and Heidelberg United favourite Asahi Yokokawa.

Yokokawa crosses state lines after three seasons at NPL VIC powerhouse Heidelberg, where he established himself as one of the Bergers’ most influential attacking players.

The Japanese playmaker departs with 107 appearances and 28 goals to his name.

His standout campaign came in 2025, producing 14 goals and 13 assists across all competitions while also becoming Heidelberg’s only hat-trick scorer that season as the club enjoyed a memorable run to the 2025 Australia Cup final.

The move adds another chapter to a career that began in the academy of J.League club Shonan Bellmare. Yokokawa progressed into the club’s senior squad in 2021 and spent time on loan in Japan’s J3 League and JFL, having previously represented Japan at U15, U16 and U17 level.

He later moved to Singapore with Albirex Niigata, captaining the club to a league title and earning Team of the Year recognition in his first season before making the move to Australia and joining Heidelberg.

Now David Perkovic’s Sutherland have secured the 24-year-old as a marquee addition for 2027, adding proven NPL quality and another significant attacking weapon as the Sharks prepare for the new NPL NSW campaign.