Brighton star Mitoma facing police probe as women hospitalised in car accident

View 2 Images

Brighton star Kaoru Mitoma is facing a police investigation for possible dangerous driving after knocking a cyclist off their bike in a car accident. The incident took place in Tokyo on Wednesday morning, with the woman - believed to be in her 40s - since having been hospitalised for further tests.

A statement from Mitoma’s management company in the aftermath read: “We sincerely apologise for the great inconvenience and worry caused to the injured party and all those involved in the accident.

“Mr. Mitoma himself takes this accident very seriously and is responding with feelings of sympathy and apology to the injured party. The injured party has been examined at a medical institution and diagnosed with bruises, and Mr. Mitoma was not injured. We will inform you again if any further information becomes available.

“We take this matter very seriously and will fully cooperate with the investigation by the relevant authorities. We will also strive to thoroughly instill safe driving awareness and strengthen compliance education to prevent recurrence.

“Once again, we offer our deepest apologies to the victim, their family, and all those involved.”

Mitoma, 29, reportedly went through a Tokyo intersection at a red light, having mistaken a green pedestrian light for a traffic signal. After the collision, he then checked on the women’s condition and followed police instructions at the scene.

Japanese outlet NHK have since reported that the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department are investigating. Mitoma joined

Brighton

in 2022 from Japanese side Kawasaki Frontale.

He enjoyed an impressive debut season at the AMEX Stadium, scoring ten goals. He had a quiet follow-up campaign but netted a further 11 times in 2024/25.

Mitoma struggled with injuries last season, scoring just three times, with his injury issues seeing him miss out on a spot in

Japan

’s squad for the World Cup. The Samurai Blue went as far as the round of 32 this summer but became unstuck against

Brazil

.

Mitoma in the meantime will now be focusing on Brighton’s upcoming campaign. The Seagulls finished eighth in the

Premier League

last term and sealed a spot in the Conference League playoffs.

Boss Fabian Hurzeler signed a new contract with the Seagulls in the closing weeks of the campaign and will be eyeing improvement once again.

The club have already been busy in the transfer market ahead of the new season, having secured big-money deals for Zadok Yohanna and Pascal Struijk. Defender Jan Paul van Hecke has also completed a move to

Tottenham

Hotspur.