Nakamura scored his first World Cup goal in 2026, showcasing his talent on the biggest stage of international football.
Keito Nakamura is a professional footballer from Japan, known for his dynamic playing style as a forward.
He began his professional career with Gamba Osaka, where he made his debut at the age of 17.
Biography
Early Life
Keito Nakamura is a talented Japanese professional footballer born into a culture rich in sports. He began his football journey at a young age, showcasing his skills and passion for the game. His early development took place at Mitsubishi Yowa, a club in the Kantō Soccer League, where he honed his abilities before making a significant leap into professional football.
Career
Nakamura's professional career took off when he joined Gamba Osaka ahead of the 2018 J1 League season. He made his senior debut at just 17 years old, impressing fans with his agility and attacking prowess. During his time at Gamba Osaka, he played 17 league matches, scoring his first goal in a crucial win against V-Varen Nagasaki. His journey continued as he moved to various clubs, including a loan to FC Juniors OÖ in Austria, and later signing with LASK Linz, where he further developed his skills.
In August 2023, Nakamura made a significant move to Stade de Reims in France's Ligue 1, marking a new chapter in his career. He quickly made an impact, scoring his first goal in the league shortly after his debut. On the international stage, Nakamura has represented Japan at various youth levels and made his senior debut in March 2023. He has since scored for the national team and was selected for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup and the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where he made headlines by scoring in Japan's opening match.
Playing Style
Known for his pace and direct attacking style, Nakamura is versatile, playing as both a winger and a forward. His dribbling ability and knack for creating chances make him a valuable asset on the field, and he continues to evolve as a player with each match.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Gamba Osaka
Nakamura joined Gamba Osaka from Kantō Soccer League side Mitsubishi Yowa ahead of the 2018 J1 League season. He made his senior debut at the age of 17 on 24 February 2018 in a 3–2 home defeat by Nagoya Grampus in which replaced Hwang Ui-jo in the 69th minute and 10 minutes later crossed for Shun Nagasawa to head home and make the score 2–2. In total he played 17 J1 League games during his debut campaign and netted 1 goal, the winner in a 2–1 win over V-Varen Nagasaki on 24 November. He also scored once in 7 J.League Cup games and made one substitute appearance in the Emperor's Cup, a home defeat to Kwansei Gakuin University. Nakamura spent a large part of the second half of the season with Gamba's Under-23 side in J3 League where he netted 4 times in 15 appearances with the goals coming against FC Tokyo U-23, Thespakusatsu Gunma and Azul Claro Numazu.
FC Juniors 00
In February 2021, Nakamura has loaned to 2. Liga (Austria) club FC Juniors OÖ.
LASK
On 11 August 2021, he signed a three-year contract with Austrian club LASK.
Reims
On 10 August 2023, it was announced that he would permanently transfer to Stade Reims of France's Ligue 1. On 12 August, he made his Ligue 1 debut in the opening game against Olympique de Marseille, coming on as a substitute in the 15th minute of the second half. On 26 September, he scored his first goal in Ligue 1 in Round 6 against Lille OSC.
Nakamura has represented Japan at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 level playing in both the AFC Under-16 Championship in 2016, and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in which he netted 4 times in 4 games before Japan were eliminated by England at the last-16 stage. In March 2023, he was called up by Hajime Moriyasu for the senior national team for friendlies against Uruguay and Colombia. He made his debut against Uruguay on 24 March 2023, coming off the bench in the 89th minute. The match ended in a 1–1 draw. On 15 June, he came on as a substitute from the start of the second half against El Salvador and scored his first goal for the national team. On 12 September, he made his first start for the national team against Turkey and scored two goals. In January 2024, he was named for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final squads alongside Reims teammate, Junya Itō. On 15 May 2026, Nakamura was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On 14 June, Nakamura scored his first World Cup goal with a right-footed equalizer in the 57th minute, bringing Japan level at 1–1 with the Netherlands in an eventual 2–2 draw in Japan's World Cup opener.
Nakamura is a wide player known for his pace, agility, and direct attacking style. Comfortable as a wing-back or winger, he is noted for his dribbling ability, chance creation, and willingness to take on defenders.
Club
As of match played 9 May 2026
International
As of match played 29 June 2026
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nakamura goal.
- Club
- Gamba Osaka (2018–2021)
- Club
- Gamba Osaka U-23 (2018–2019)
- Club
- FC Twente (2019–2020)
- Club
- Sint-Truidense V.V. (2020–2021)
- Club
- FC Juniors OÖ (2021–2021)
- Club
- LASK Linz (2021–2023)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2023–)
- Club
- Stade de Reims (2023–2026)
- Club
- Olympique Lyonnais (2026–)
- National team
- Japan
Clubs
- Japan men's national football team2023current
- Olympique Lyonnais2026current
- Gamba Osaka2018–2021
- Gamba Osaka U-232018–2019
- FC Twente2019–2020
- Sint-Truidense V.V.2020–2021
- FC Juniors OÖ2021–2021
- LASK Linz2021–2023
- Stade de Reims2023–2026
Played together with
Abdelhamid El KaoutariStade de Reims · 2016–2016
Abdelhamid El KaoutariStade de Reims · 2016–2016
- Abdelhamid KermaliOlympique Lyonnais · 1955–1959
Abdelkader GhezzalOlympique LyonnaisAbdoulaye DialloStade de Reims
Abdul Kader KeïtaOlympique Lyonnais · 2007–2009
Abedi PeleOlympique Lyonnais · 1993–1994
Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorGamba Osaka · 2016
Adi HütterLASK Linz · 1989–1991
Adi RochaGamba Osaka · 2013–2013
Adi RochaLASK Linz · 2007–2008
Adil RamziFC Twente · 2003–2004
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Keito Nakamura is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for Ligue 1 club Lyon and the Japan national team. He plays either as a left winger or a forward.
All links
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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