The leader of Brighton will be sidelined for several weeks due to an injury

Brighton's winger, Mitoma, will be sidelined for five or six weeks due to an injury, as announced by the team's head coach, Roberto De Zerbi.

During the match against Crystal Palace on December 21, the Japanese footballer suffered a posterior cruciate ligament injury. Consequently, he will be unable to take the field for the next month. Roberto De Zerbi also noted that Mitoma is unlikely to join his national team for the Asian Cup due to this setback. The tournament is scheduled to commence on January 12 and will take place in Qatar.

Mitoma made his professional football debut in 2020 with Kawasaki Frontale. He first stepped onto the field in the top Japanese division on February 22, 2020, in a home match against Sagan Tosu. During his two seasons with the club, he participated in 50 league matches.

On August 10, 2021, Mitoma signed a four-year deal with the English club Brighton & Hove Albion, immediately loaning him to the Belgian club Union for the season. After the loan period concluded, he returned to Brighton & Hove Albion for the 2022/23 season.