In Red-Hot Form! 28-Year-Old Ayase Ueda Scores in Five Straight Matches, Starts Season With 5 Goals and 1 Assist in 6 Games

A topic causing awkward discussion in Lille's dressing room: 39-year-old Giroud was moved to the bench, while 28-year-old Ayase Ueda came on in the 57th minute and scored with a headed rebound 16 minutes later to give Lille a 1-0 win over Toulouse. Against Betis in the Champions League, Ueda headed in a cross from Kylian Mbappe's younger brother in the 12th minute, but the younger Mbappe was sent off for an elbow in the 56th minute. Ueda was substituted by Giroud in the 77th minute as Lille eventually lost 3-2. David Ancelotti's decision to sign the Japanese striker from the Eredivisie for €15 million has led to debate, with his market value listed at €20 million by Transfermarkt.

On August 31, Lille announced Ueda's move from Feyenoord on a contract until 2030. He wears number 18 and became the club's first Japanese player. The reported transfer fee was around €15 million. He played for Feyenoord in the Eredivisie on August 30, arrived in France the next day, and entered the squad after only a few training sessions. His Transfermarkt value rose from €8 million in May 2025 to €20 million in July 2026. Claims that Fenerbahce offered more than €20 million were not officially confirmed.

At the start of the season, Ueda played four Eredivisie matches for Feyenoord, failing to score in the opener before producing three goals and one assist in the next three games. His movement includes near-post runs, back-post finishes, and second-ball attacks. Last season he scored 25 goals in 31 league matches and one goal in six Europa League appearances, which helped convince Lille to invest.

In Lille's Ligue 1 match against Toulouse on September 4, Ueda replaced Giroud in the 57th minute. In the 73rd minute, Perraud crossed from the left, Ueda's first attempt was saved, and he headed in the rebound for the only goal of the match. David Ancelotti said after the game that this was exactly what Ueda was brought in to do. His style focuses on finishing in the box rather than creating play.

In the Champions League opener against Betis, Ueda headed in a right-wing cross from the younger Mbappe in the 12th minute. The match featured several headed goals and Lille eventually lost after being overturned. The younger Mbappe received a straight red card after VAR review for an off-ball elbow on Natan in the 56th minute. Ueda was substituted in the 77th minute with statistics of 77 minutes played, one shot on target, eight completed passes from eight attempts, two fouls suffered, and one offside.

Giroud also became a talking point. Ueda replaced him in his Ligue 1 debut, while Ueda started and Giroud was a substitute against Betis. The 39-year-old veteran and 28-year-old newcomer created competition for the striker role. Reports saying Giroud simply sat on the bench were exaggerated because he started against Toulouse before being substituted.

The younger Mbappe became another focus. He provided the assist for Ueda's goal but his red card affected the match. Some statistics said he became one of the youngest players from a Ligue 1 club to be sent off in the Champions League at 19 years and 253 days. Online comments that he is more prone to cards are fan opinions rather than confirmed facts.

The valuation discussion centers on the €15 million transfer fee and €20 million market value. Moving from an Eredivisie Golden Boot season to Ligue 1 and Champions League football presents a different challenge. Ueda relies on positioning, rebounds, and headers. Lille signed him for immediate impact rather than simply future potential.

Further match details: Ueda's goal against Betis came from an unmarked position at the back post. Betis scored multiple headed goals from set pieces, exposing Lille's aerial defending. When Ueda was substituted, Lille were already trailing 3-2 and playing with ten men. Giroud could not change the result after coming on.

The data summary: Ueda had 0 goals in Feyenoord's first league match and then recorded 3 goals and 1 assist in the next three; he scored once against Toulouse and once against Betis for Lille. Overall he has 5 goals and 1 assist in six matches this season, scoring in five straight games. Lille confirmed a four-year deal, number 18, a €15 million transfer fee, and that he is the club's first Japanese player.

Some dressing-room details are presented as anecdotes. The article mentions Ueda's life after arriving in France and reactions from Japanese fans and Feyenoord, but many of these details come from social media or media descriptions rather than official sources.

The transfer background is straightforward: after Lille sold Fernandes-Pardo, the club brought in Ueda as a striker replacement. The two players have different profiles, with Ueda mainly serving as a central striker. Giroud's age and Ueda's quick adaptation changed the team's rotation balance.

Against Betis, Ueda scored after 12 minutes and left in the 77th minute. During his 65 minutes on the pitch he completed eight passes from eight attempts and scored with his only shot. He is a striker who creates danger through movement, pressing, and penalty-area efficiency.

Ultimately, the match's biggest talking points were Ueda's goal, the younger Mbappe's red card, and Giroud coming off the bench. Although Lille lost, Ueda's individual performance continued to increase his market attention.