Credit: Imago, Sporting Clube de Portugal on YouTube

Evan Lloyd

Thu 30 April 2026 10:44, UK

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Hidemasa Morita is attracting interest from Leeds United ahead of a potential summer move as a free agent.

The 30-year-old is out of contract at Sporting CP at the end of the season, and is reportedly willing to commit to a move to Elland Road.

Morita has made 46 appearances across all competitions for the Portuguese side this season, and remains a key cog in Rui Borges’ system.

Sporting fans have called for the Japan international to be given a new contract, but he appears to be destined for the exit.

Leeds transfer chiefs would have seen Morita in action against Arsenal last month, with his side ultimately knocked out of the Champions League quarter-final.

Ruben Amorim loved Hidemasa Morita

Football Insider exclusively revealed that Ao Tanaka could be set to stay at Leeds this summer, despite the speculation surrounding his future.

The midfielder is expected to go to this summer’s World Cup with Morita and Japan, and the pair could well be playing together at Elland Road next season.

Morita’s career was spent entirely in his home nation before 2021, when he joined Portuguese side Santa Clara on a free transfer.

The Osaka-born talent caught the eye there and signed for Sporting in the following summer in a deal worth around £3million.

The years since have seen him make 162 appearances and win Liga Portugal twice, along with the cup last season.

The Daily Mail reported on Wednesday that Leeds are readying a move to sign Morita on a free transfer this summer.

Now sacked Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim brought Morita to the club and spent two seasons with him before his departure in 2024.

Speaking in 2022 before Sporting played Tottenham in the Champions League, he said: “All coaches should train at least one Japanese player to understand what it means to be a player who is always ready to help the team.

“He apologises a thousand times a day, he’s very respectful, he plays in any position, he always wants to learn. I only have good things to say about Morita.

“Japanese players are increasingly entering Europe and he has a lot of technical ability. He came to play as a number six, he can also play as an eight. I’m very happy with him and I’m glad we chose him for the value he brought and the man he is.”

What type of player is Morita?

Morita is far from afraid to get in the box and finish well, but his best work comes in the middle of the park.

The midfielder is all-action, able to find an inch-perfect pass in one moment before putting in a crunching tackle in the next.

Leeds will gain huge experience and ability if they can pull off a deal for the 30-year-old, who could also play a part in keeping hold of Tanaka.

But the Whites could yet face competition for his signature, with swift movement before the World Cup perhaps required.