Takashi Inui is a professional footballer known for his versatility as a winger and attacking midfielder.
Inui began his professional career with Yokohama F. Marinos, making his debut in 2007.
He won the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament in 2006 while playing for Yasu High School.
Biography
Early Life
Takashi Inui is a Japanese professional footballer born in Japan, who has made a significant impact in both domestic and international football. He began his journey in the sport at a young age, showcasing his talent at Yasu High School, where he helped his team win the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament in 2006. This early success laid the foundation for his professional career.
Career
Inui's professional career began in 2007 when he joined Yokohama F. Marinos in the J. League Division 1. He made his debut on March 10, 2007, but struggled to secure a regular spot, leading to a loan to Cerezo Osaka in June 2008, where he later made a permanent move. His performances caught the attention of European clubs, and in July 2011, he signed with VfL Bochum in Germany's 2. Bundesliga. Inui's talent shone through, and he quickly moved to Eintracht Frankfurt in 2012, where he continued to develop his skills.
Inui's career took a significant turn when he joined SD Eibar in La Liga in 2015, becoming the first Asian player to represent the club. He expressed his lifelong dream of playing in Spain, and he made an immediate impact, scoring his first league goal in January 2016. His international career began in 2009, and he represented Japan in the 2018 World Cup, where he scored a memorable goal against Senegal.
Legacy
Throughout his career, Inui has played for several clubs, including Real Betis, Deportivo Alavés, and Cerezo Osaka, before returning to Japan to play for Shimizu S-Pulse and Vissel Kobe. He has earned accolades such as being named in the J2 League Best XI in 2023 and 2024, highlighting his continued excellence on the field. As of 2026, he remains an influential figure in Japanese football, inspiring the next generation of players.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Gallery
Career & Clubs
Inui was an All Japan High School Soccer Tournament champion in 2006 with Yasu High School. In 2007, Inui joined Yokohama F. Marinos of the J. League Division 1 and made his debut as a professional against Yokohama F.C. in a league match on 10 March. However, he failed to find a regular spot at Marinos and was loaned to then J. League Division 2 Cerezo Osaka in June 2008, earning himself a permanent move at the end of the season. In July 2011, Inui made the jump to Europe, joining Germany's VfL Bochum. He made his debut in the 2. Bundesliga, when he started in a 2–1 home defeat versus FC St. Pauli on 13 August 2011. In July 2012, Inui signed a three-year contract with newly promoted Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt after impressive performance in the 2. Bundesliga.
Eibar
On 26 August 2015, Inui was transferred to La Liga side SD Eibar for a then club record fees of € 300,000, after agreeing to a three-year contract. He became the first Asian player to play for the club. On moving to Eibar, Inui said, “It was always my dream to play in the Spanish league one day. It’s been my dream since I was a child and now it’s come true”. Takashi made his debut for Eibar on 23 September 2015, starting and providing one assist in a 2–2 draw against Levante. He scored his first league goal for Eibar on 10 January 2016 in a 2–1 win against RCD Espanyol, scoring the first goal in the 15th minute of game and also providing assist for second goal. In April 2017, as the club was…
Inui made his full international debut for Japan on 20 January 2009 in a 2011 AFC Asian Cup qualification against Yemen. In May 2018 he was named in Japan's preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. On 24 June, Inui scored his first World Cup goal in a 2–2 draw over Senegal during their second group stage match of the tournament. Inui went on to score another goal and registered an assist in the tournament.
Club
As of 24 February 2026.
International
As of 26 March 2019
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Inui goal.
- Club
- VfL Bochum (2011–2012)
- Club
- Cerezo Osaka (2008–2008)
- Club
- Yokohama F. Marinos (2007–2009)
- Club
- Eintracht Frankfurt (2012–2015)
- Club
- Cerezo Osaka (2009–2011)
- Club
- SD Eibar (2015–2018)
- Club
- Japan national under-23 football team (2006–2006)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2009–2019)
- Club
- Real Betis Balompié (2018–2019)
- Club
- Deportivo Alavés (2019–2019)
- Club
- SD Eibar (2019–2021)
- Club
- Cerezo Osaka (2021–2022)
- Club
- Shimizu S-Pulse (2022–2025)
- Club
- Vissel Kobe (2026–2026)
- Club
- Júbilo Iwata (2026–)
- League
- Bundesliga
- League
- 2. Bundesliga
- National team
- Japan
Legacy
Shimizu S-Pulse J2 League: 2024 Vissel Kobe J1 100 Year Vision League: 2026 Individual J2 League Best XI: 2023, 2024
Clubs
- Júbilo Iwata2026current
- Japan national under-23 football team2006–2006
- Yokohama F. Marinos2007–2009
- Cerezo Osaka2008–2008
- Cerezo Osaka2009–2011
- Japan men's national football team2009–2019
- VfL Bochum2011–2012
- Eintracht Frankfurt2012–2015
- SD Eibar2015–2018
- Real Betis Balompié2018–2019
- Deportivo Alavés2019–2019
- SD Eibar2019–2021
- Cerezo Osaka2021–2022
- Shimizu S-Pulse2022–2025
- Vissel Kobe2026–2026
Played together with
- Aarón GalindoEintracht Frankfurt · 2007–2008
Abde EzzalzouliReal Betis Balompié · 2023
Abde RebbachDeportivo Alavés · 2022- Abdeljalil HaddaYokohama F. Marinos · 2000–2000
Abelardo FernándezDeportivo Alavés · 2002–2003
Abraham MineroSD Eibar · 2014–2015
Achille EmanáReal Betis Balompié · 2008–2011- Adaílton dos Santos da SilvaJúbilo Iwata · 2015
- Ademar da Silva Braga JúniorCerezo Osaka · 1995–1995
Ademilson Braga Bispo JuniorYokohama F. Marinos · 2015–2015- Ademir SantosJúbilo Iwata · 1987–1991
- Ademir SantosShimizu S-Pulse · 1992–1996
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Takashi Inui is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger or an attacking midfielder for J1 League club Júbilo Iwata.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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