How Japanese Soccer Players Are Making an Impact in European Leagues

 Soccer is one of the most popular sports in Japan, and many Japanese soccer fans follow the European leagues closely. In recent years, more and more Japanese players have moved to Europe and shown their skills and talents on the big stage. Some of them have even won trophies and awards with their clubs or national team. In this blog, I will introduce some of the best Japanese soccer players who are currently playing in the top European leagues.

1. Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal)

Takehiro Tomiyasu is the latest Japanese player to join the Premier League, as he signed for Arsenal in the summer of 2021. The 22-year-old defender can play as a center-back or a right-back, and he has impressed with his versatility, athleticism, and composure. He made his debut for Arsenal in a 1-0 win over Norwich City, and he has since become a regular starter for the Gunners. He has also scored his first goal for the club in a 3-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur.

Tomiyasu started his career in Japan with Avispa Fukuoka, before moving to Belgium with Sint-Truiden in 2018. He then joined Bologna in Italy in 2019, where he played for two seasons and made 61 appearances. He has also been a key member of the Japan national team, earning 29 caps and scoring three goals so far.

2. Takefusa Kubo (Real Sociedad)

Takefusa Kubo is one of the most talented and promising young players in the world. The 20-year-old winger joined Real Madrid in 2019, after impressing with FC Tokyo in Japan. However, he has yet to make his debut for the Spanish giants, as he has been loaned out to four different clubs in La Liga: Mallorca, Villarreal, Getafe, and Real Sociedad.

Kubo is currently playing for Real Sociedad, where he has established himself as a regular starter and a creative force. He has scored six goals and provided seven assists in all competitions so far this season, helping his team to challenge for a European spot. He has also been an important part of the Japan national team, scoring four goals in 21 games.

3. Maya Yoshida (Sampdoria)

Maya Yoshida is one of the most experienced and respected Japanese players in Europe. The 33-year-old center-back has been playing in Europe since 2010, when he joined VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands. He then moved to England with Southampton in 2012, where he spent eight years and made 154 Premier League appearances. He was also part of the Southampton team that reached the EFL Cup final in 2017, losing to Manchester United.

Yoshida left Southampton on loan in 2020, before signing permanently for Sampdoria in Italy. He has been a regular starter for the Serie A club, making 52 appearances and scoring two goals so far. He is also the captain of the Japan national team, having earned 107 caps and scored 11 goals.

4. Daichi Kamada (Eintracht Frankfurt)

Daichi Kamada is a versatile and effective attacking midfielder who can play as a central midfielder or a winger. He joined Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany in 2017, after shining with Sagan Tosu in Japan. He initially struggled to adapt to the Bundesliga, and was loaned out to Sint-Truiden in Belgium for two seasons. However, he returned to Frankfurt in 2019 and became a key player for the club.

Kamada was instrumental in Frankfurt’s run to the Europa League semi-finals in 2020-21, scoring six goals and providing six assists in the competition. He also helped his team finish fifth in the Bundesliga and qualify for the Europa League again. He has scored nine goals and provided eight assists in all competitions so far this season. He has also been a regular for the Japan national team, scoring five goals in 24 games.

5. Wataru Endo (Stuttgart)

Wataru Endo is a reliable and hard-working defensive midfielder who can also play as a center-back or a right-back. He joined Stuttgart in Germany in 2019, after playing for Urawa Reds and Sint-Truiden in Japan and Belgium respectively. He helped Stuttgart gain promotion to the Bundesliga in 2019-20, and he has since become the captain of the club.

Endo is known for his passing ability, defensive contribution, aerial prowess, and tackling skills. He has made 81 appearances and scored four goals for Stuttgart so far. He is also a regular for the Japan national team, having earned 50 caps and scored two goals.

6. Hiroki Sakai (Olympique Marseille)

Hiroki Sakai is a veteran and consistent right-back who can also play as a left-back. He joined Olympique Marseille in France in 2016, after playing for Kashiwa Reysol and Hannover 96 in Japan and Germany respectively. He has been a loyal and dependable player for Marseille, making 184 appearances and scoring three goals so far. He has also won the Coupe de France in 2017 and reached the Europa League final in 2018 with the club.

Sakai is known for his stamina, crossing ability, defensive awareness, and leadership skills. He is also a regular for the Japan national team, having earned 66 caps and scored one goal.

7. Ritsu Doan (Freiburg)

Ritsu Doan is a skillful and dynamic winger who can play on either flank or as an attacking midfielder. He joined Freiburg in Germany in 2021, after playing for Gamba Osaka, Groningen, PSV Eindhoven, and Arminia Bielefeld in Japan and the Netherlands respectively. He has been a key player for Freiburg, scoring seven goals and providing four assists in all competitions so far this season. He has also helped his team to challenge for a Champions League spot.

Doan is known for his dribbling ability, creativity, vision, and finishing skills. He is also a regular for the Japan national team, scoring five goals in 36 games.

8. Yuta Nakayama (Zwolle)

Yuta Nakayama is a versatile and promising player who can play as a center-back or a defensive midfielder. He joined Zwolle in the Netherlands in 2019, after playing for Kashiwa Reysol in Japan. He has been a regular starter for Zwolle, making 69 appearances and scoring four goals so far. He has also been named as the captain of the club.

Nakayama is known for his passing ability, aerial prowess, positioning, and leadership skills. He is also a regular for the Japan national team, having earned 16 caps and scored one goal.

9. Yuya Osako (Werder Bremen)

Yuya Osako is an experienced and prolific striker who can also play as a second striker or a winger. He joined Werder Bremen in Germany in 2018, after playing for Kashima Antlers, TSV 1860 Munich, FC Koln, and St Pauli in Japan and Germany respectively. He has been a key player for Werder Bremen, scoring 32 goals and providing 15 assists in all competitions so far. He has also helped his team to reach the DFB-Pokal final in 2019 and 2020, losing to Bayern Munich on both occasions.

Osako is known for his movement, finishing ability, link-up play, and versatility. He is also a regular for the Japan national team, having earned 51 caps and scored 15 goals.

10. Hidemasa Morita (Sporting CP)

Hidemasa Morita is a talented and effective defensive midfielder who can also play as a central midfielder or a center-back. He joined Sporting CP in Portugal in 2021, after playing for Kawasaki Frontale in Japan. He has quickly adapted to the Portuguese league, becoming a regular starter and an influential player for Sporting CP. He has scored two goals and provided two assists in all competitions so far this season, helping his team to challenge for the league title and qualify for the Champions League.

Morita is known for his passing ability, defensive contribution, interception skills, and long-range shots. He is also a regular for the Japan national team, having earned 18 caps and scored one goal.

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These are some of the best Japanese soccer players who are currently playing in the top European leagues. They have shown their quality and potential on the highest level of club soccer, and they have also represented their country with pride and passion. They are an inspiration for many young Japanese soccer players who dream of following their footsteps.