SC Freiburg goalkeeper Mio Backhaus serves as interpreter for Japanese teammates

Mio Backhaus, the 22‑year‑old goalkeeper who joined SC Freiburg from Werder Bremen on May 23, is expected to be the club’s first‑choice keeper for the new season. In addition to his on‑field duties, Backhaus, the son of a German father and Japanese mother, has taken on the role of integration assistant for Freiburg’s growing Japanese contingent, which includes Rihito Yamamoto, Keisuke Goto and Yuito Suzuki.

During a media session at the club’s Austrian training camp, an artificial‑intelligence translation system failed, prompting Backhaus to step in and provide live interpretation for the Japanese players. He said he was happy to help off the pitch, noting that the newcomers could always approach him. Backhaus has previously aided Japanese teammate Yukinari Sugawara at Werder Bremen, reinforcing his role as a linguistic bridge for the squad.