Leeds United have been credited with an interest in Sporting's Japanese midfielder who is nearing the end of his contract
Brian Dick Reach Football Correspondent
16:43, 31 Mar 2026
Hidemasa Morita of Sporting CP
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Hidemasa Morita of Sporting CP(Image: Getty Images)
Hidemasa Morita is a ‘certain departure’ from Sporting CP in the summer, amid links with Leeds United.
That’s according to Portuguese outlet A Bola who claim the midfielder has warned the Lisbon-based club he will not renew his contract which expires at the end of the season.
The story claims ‘Leeds are interested’ and the Japanese international is set to depart Estádio José Alvalade after four seasons.
It adds ‘the dream of the Premier League remains, at 30-years-old this could be his last opportunity’.
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Morita came through at Kawasaki Frontale in his homeland before signing for Santa Clara in the Primeira Liga. He spent a season-and-a-half in the Azores before moving to the Portuguese capital in 2022.
Since then Morita has made 154 appearances, as a central or defensive midfielder, including 38 this term and nine in the club’s run to the Champions League quarter finals where they will face Arsenal. They are also second in their domestic league.
Leeds are not short of options in the middle of the park, with Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach enjoying good seasons, Ao Tanaka struggling for game-time and Sean Langstaff also an option.
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