Kazuma Watanabe is a prominent Japanese association football player known for his forward position.
He began his professional career with Yokohama F. Marinos in 2009, where he made an immediate impact by scoring in his debut match.
In 2009, Watanabe scored 13 goals, breaking the rookie record and earning the J.League Rookie of the Year award.
Biography
Early Life
Kazuma Watanabe is a talented Japanese footballer known for his role as a forward. He began his professional career in 2009 with Yokohama F. Marinos, where he made an immediate impact by scoring his first league goal in his debut match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. His remarkable performance during the 2009 season, where he netted 13 goals, earned him the prestigious J.League Rookie of the Year award, breaking the previous record for a rookie player set in 1994.
Career Progression
Following his successful start, Watanabe continued to develop his skills and played for several clubs in Japan's top leagues. After two seasons with Yokohama, he transferred to FC Tokyo in 2012, where he had a standout year in 2013, scoring 17 goals. However, his subsequent seasons were less fruitful, leading to a move to Vissel Kobe in 2015. At Kobe, he regained his scoring touch, finishing the 2015 season with 10 goals and improving to 12 goals in 2016. His journey continued with stints at Gamba Osaka and Yokohama FC before joining Matsumoto Yamaga FC in 2023.
International Career
Watanabe also represented Japan on the international stage, making his senior debut in January 2010 during a qualifier for the AFC Asian Cup. He played a crucial role in Japan's comeback victory against Yemen, showcasing his potential on a larger platform. Throughout his career, Watanabe has been recognized for his contributions to the teams he has played for, both at the club and international levels, solidifying his reputation as a skilled forward in Japanese football.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
Watanabe made his J-League debut for Yokohama F. Marinos against Sanfrecce Hiroshima on 7 March 2009 and scored his first league goal. He kept up his scoring exploits throughout the 2009 season and finished with 13 league goals which broke the previous record for a rookie player set by Shoji Jo in 1994. This earned him the young player of the year award 2009. During his next two seasons in Yokohama, he did not quite hit the heights of his debut year, but he did go on to amass a respectable 15 goals in 54 league games across 2010 and 2011. Watanabe was transferred to FC Tokyo ahead of the 2012 season and in total he spent 3 seasons in Japan's capital. 2013 was a highlight for him as he bagged 17 goals in 33 league games to help the men in blue and red finish in eighth place in the final standings. However, his other two seasons with Tokyo were rather forgettable, he scored six times in 27 league games during his first year at the Ajinomoto Stadium in 2012 before finishing off his career in the capital by netting just three times in 26 league appearances. This loss of form in 2014 saw him shipped off to join Vissel Kobe ahead of the 2015 campaign. The move west seemed to do him good as he was immediately back into double figures in terms of goals scored, ending the 2015 season with 10 goals in 28 league appearances. The following year was even better for him personally as he scored 12 goals in 33 league games, which helped Kobe to an impressive seventh-place finish in the…
Watanabe made his full, senior international debut for Japan on 6 January 2010 in a 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualifier against Yemen. He started the match and was replaced in the 85th minute by Kensuke Nagai as Japan came from two goals down to run out 3–2 winners.
Club
Updated as of match played on 22 April 2021.
1Includes Japanese Super Cup.
International
- Club
- Vissel Kobe (2015–2018)
- Club
- Yokohama F. Marinos (2009–2011)
- Club
- FC Tokyo (2012–2014)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2010–2010)
- Club
- Gamba Osaka (2018–2020)
- Club
- Yokohama FC (2021–2022)
- Club
- Matsumoto Yamaga FC (2023–)
Legacy
Clubs
- Matsumoto Yamaga FC2023current
- Yokohama F. Marinos2009–2011
- Japan men's national football team2010–2010
- FC Tokyo2012–2014
- Vissel Kobe2015–2018
- Gamba Osaka2018–2020
- Yokohama FC2021–2022
Played together with
- Abdeljalil HaddaYokohama F. Marinos · 2000–2000
- Adaílton dos Santos da SilvaFC Tokyo
- Adaílton dos Santos da SilvaYokohama FC
Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorGamba Osaka · 2016- Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorYokohama F. Marinos · 2015–2015
- Adhemar Ferreira de Camargo NetoYokohama F. Marinos · 2005–2005
Adi RochaGamba Osaka · 2013–2013
Ado OnaiwuYokohama F. Marinos
Adriano Ferreira MartinsGamba Osaka · 2011–2011- Adriano PimentaYokohama FC · 2007–2007
- Adílson Ferreira de SouzaVissel Kobe · 2010–2011
- Adílson Ferreira de SouzaVissel Kobe · 2013–2013
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Kazuma Watanabe is a Japanese footballer who plays for Matsumoto Yamaga FC in the J3 League. He plays as a centre-forward and has previously had spells with Yokohama F. Marinos, FC Tokyo, Vissel Kobe and Gamba Osaka.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…