Japan international defender Ayumu Seko is set to join Ligue 1 side Le Havre AC on a free transfer, according to reports from French outlet L’Équipe. The 25-year-old centre-back, who most recently played for Swiss club Grasshopper Club Zürich, is expected to become Le Havre’s sixth signing of the summer window as they continue their efforts to solidify their squad ahead of the 2025–26 season.
Seko, born in Osaka, began his professional career with Cerezo Osaka and made the move to Grasshoppers in early 2022. During his three-and-a-half years in Switzerland, he established himself as a consistent and reliable performer, amassing 117 appearances in the Swiss Super League and contributing one goal. Notably, he remained largely injury-free and demonstrated his versatility by performing both as a central defender and a defensive midfielder.
His contract with Grasshoppers expired in June 2025, and he has since been available as a free agent. The timing and status of his availability appear to have made him an ideal target for Le Havre, a club operating under strict financial constraints but eager to add experience and depth to their squad. Le Havre finished 15th in Ligue 1 last season under coach Luka Elsner, narrowly avoiding relegation, and are currently undergoing a rebuild to ensure greater stability in the upcoming campaign.
L’Équipe highlighted Seko’s performances in Switzerland, noting that he “proved his quality” over multiple seasons and is now beginning to establish himself in Japan’s senior national team setup. He featured in Japan’s recent World Cup qualifiers against Australia and Indonesia in June and has earned seven caps to date. A member of Japan's squad at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Seko has long been viewed as a player with significant potential.
Should the deal be finalised, Seko would become the first Japanese player in Le Havre’s history. The move would also mark another significant step for the French club, who have in recent years looked to overseas markets to strengthen their roster with value signings.
For Le Havre, securing a player of Seko’s calibre without a transfer fee represents a smart piece of business. His international experience, positional flexibility, and consistent fitness record could provide a much-needed boost to a side aiming to consolidate their top-flight status after a challenging return to Ligue 1.