Ake is so very happy (From South Wales Argus)

Ake is so very happy

11:02am Friday 3rd July 2009

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NEWPORT County’s new Japanese recruit Takumi Ake is aiming to follow in the footsteps of his footballing heroes Gary Lineker, David Beckham and Aaron Lennon this season.

The 25-year-old from Osaka, who signed for the Exiles last week after the demise of Team Bath, grew to love the beautiful game when England star Lineker joined the new J-League in 1992.

And the impact of Beckham-mania at the World Cup in Japan and South Korea a decade later convinced Ake to move to Britain in 2005.

After playing for Haringey Borough and Hendon while he learned English he moved to Bath in 2007 to start a degree in sports performance.

A tricky winger with an eye for goal, Ake quickly became a star with the university team, helping them to promotion to the Blue Square South in 2008 and an 11th place finish last season.

But with Team Bath barred from any future promotion to the Blue Square Premier, the decision was made to withdraw from the league and Ake joins defender Gary Warren in making the short journey across the Severn Bridge to Newport.

“It was sad what happened at Bath because I enjoyed playing there but it gives me a great opportunity to sign for Newport County, which is a much bigger club,” said Ake, who will live in Bristol while he completes his final year of studies.

“Dean Holdsworth was a great player and to sign for him is a big compliment. His team tries to play good football and that is good for me because I am a footballing player.

“It helps that Gary is here too because he is a nice guy and a great player too.”

The man from the land of the rising sun became a Tottenham Hotspur supporter during his time at nearby Haringey Borough and it is a Spurs star that he now models his game on.

“I liked Lineker and Beckham and Hidetoshi Nakata when I was growing up but I am a Spurs fan now and Aaron Lennon is my hero,” he said.

“If I can play like him I will be happy. I don’t have the same speed but hopefully I am similar and I hope I can help Newport win promotion.

“That is the aim for the team and I want to play as many games as possible.”

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