Riku Danzaki

Early career

Born in Natori, Miyagi, Japan, Danzaki began playing football at Tatekoshi SSS and Avanzare Sendai SC before joining Vegalta Sendai Junior, where he proved to be a standout player. Although Danzaki was expected to be promoted to the Vegalta Sendai Junior team, he opted to join Aomori Yamada High School in Aomori and progressed both junior high and high school at Aomori between 2015 and 2018. In his first year at Aomori Yamada, Danzaki helped the school win the National Junior High School Soccer Tournament Final in 2015. Together with teammates KennedyEgbus Mikuni, they were one of the key players to win the Outstanding Player Award of the tournament. In 2016, Danzaki helped Aomori Yamada win both the National High School Soccer Championship (and was also named MVP of the tournament) and Prince Takamado Trophy Championship. In 2017, Danzaki helped Aomori Yamada win the Championship Aomori Prefecture Preliminary Finals. Throughout 2017, Danzaki performance at Aomori Yamada was noticed by Web Gekisaka, who described him one of the players to watch. He was also included for the National High School Soccer Championship Outstanding Player. In 2018, Danzaki was appointed as captain for the Aomori Yamada and finished the season as the top scorer in the Prince Takamado Trophy Premier League. Under his leadership at Aomori Yamada, he helped the school win Sanix Cup International Youth Tournament and National High School Soccer Championship Final. Following this,…

Danzaki represented the Japan levels from U15 to U18. In August 2018, he participated in the SBS Cup for Japan U18 side, where they finished as runners-up.

Growing up in Natori, Miyagi, Japan, Danzaki was the only child of the family. He previously stated his determination to make it as a professional footballer and received a support from his parents. On 21 July 2021, Danzaki announced his marriage to a general woman. Since moving to Australia, he has been taking English lessons.