Former Hertha BSC midfielder Genki Haraguchi has extended his contract with Belgian club Beerschot for another season. The 34-year-old Japanese international, well-known for his tenure in the German Bundesliga, continues his European career after initially joining the team in September.

Beerschot announced that several players have had options exercised for another season in their contracts. Alongside Brian Plat, Nick Shinton, and Dennis Gyamfi, Haraguchi is also extending his stay. Since his move in September, Haraguchi has played 26 games in all competitions, scoring four goals, highlighting his importance to the squad.

Haraguchi's return to Belgium marks another chapter in his career. It appeared his time in European football was over when he left VFB Stuttgart in 2024 to return to the J League and join Urawa Red Diamonds. However, after just a season and a bit, he made his comeback to Europe, where he had previously spent years in the German football system.

His longest and most significant spell in Germany was with Hertha BSC, whom he joined from Urawa Red Diamonds back in 2014. Between 2014 and 2018, Haraguchi played 105 times for the Berlin club, scoring six goals. In January 2018, he had a brief loan spell with Fortuna Dusseldorf, with his time at Hertha BSC concluding at the end of the 2017/2018 season. He was part of the team that won the 2. Bundesliga under Friedhelm Funkel, though he did not return for their subsequent top-flight season.

Following his departure from Hertha BSC, Haraguchi then joined Hannover 96, where he spent several seasons before moving to VFB Stuttgart. His career exemplifies the global reach of football and the continued presence of former Bundesliga stars on the European stage.