Takayuki Morimoto is a former professional footballer known for his remarkable early career in Japan.
He began his professional career with Tokyo Verdy, where he made his debut at just 15 years old.
Morimoto was loaned to Catania FC in Italy, where he made a memorable debut by scoring just minutes after coming on.
Biography
Early Life
Takayuki Morimoto was born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan, where he began his football journey at a young age. He started his youth career with Tsudayama FC in 1995 and joined the youth setup of Tokyo Verdy, then known as Yomiuri SC, in 1998. His talent was evident early on, and he was promoted to the first team in May 2004 while still a high school student.
Career
Morimoto made history on March 13, 2004, when he debuted in the J1 League for Tokyo Verdy at just 15 years, 10 months, and 6 days old, setting a record for the youngest player to make a professional debut in Japan. He scored his first goal just two days before his 16th birthday, becoming the youngest goal scorer in J1 League history. His impressive performance earned him the J.League Rookie of the Year Award in 2004.
In 2006, Morimoto was loaned to Catania FC in Italy, where he made his Serie A debut on January 28, 2007, scoring a goal shortly after coming on as a substitute. His career continued with stints at Novara Calcio, Alshariqa, JEF United Chiba, and Kawasaki Frontale, among others. He also represented Japan at various levels, including the U20 and U23 teams, and made his senior debut in 2009, scoring his first goal against Togo in a 5-0 victory.
Personal Life
Beyond football, Morimoto's life took a turn in March 2021 when he was involved in a traffic collision in Paraguay, highlighting the challenges athletes can face off the pitch. Despite the ups and downs, Morimoto's legacy as a pioneering young talent in Japanese football remains significant, as he continues to be remembered for his early achievements and contributions to the sport.
Collected from open sources (3) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
Youth career
Born in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Morimoto began his youth career with Tsudayama FC in 1995. He joined Tokyo Verdy's, then known as Yomiuri SC's youth set-ups on 1998. He was eventually promoted to Verdy's first-team in May 2004, when he was a first grader at high school.
Tokyo Verdy
On 13 March 2004, Morimoto made his J1 League debut for Tokyo Verdy against Júbilo Iwata at the age of 15 years, 10 months and 6 days, a former league record for youngest player to debut (since passed by Maki Kitahara on 1 March 2025). He scored his first goal against JEF United Ichihara on 5 May of the same year, two days before his 16th birthday, another league record for youngest goal scorer. He captured the J.League Rookie of the Year Award for the 2004 season. During the 2004 season, Morimoto was teammates with former Cerro Porteño player Nozomi Hiroyama. In the 2005 season at Tokyo Verdy, Morimoto was teammates with Riki Kitawaki, who would play in Paraguay before Morimoto would do the same several years later. On 23 July 2006, Tokyo Verdy announced a one-year loan deal sending Morimoto to Catania of Serie A.
Catania
Morimoto made his Serie A debut on 28 January 2007 during an away game against Atalanta. He entered the game in the 83rd minute and scored the equalizing goal, his first, just five minutes later. On 13 March 2007, it was confirmed by Catania that Morimoto had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and would be out for…
Morimoto represented Japan at the Japan U20 national team level at both the 2004 AFC Youth Championship and the 2005 World Youth Championship. In 2008, he was a member of the Japan U23 national team for the 2008 Summer Olympics, where the team was eliminated in the preliminary round, losing all three matches and only managing to score one goal. On 10 October 2009, Morimoto made his debut for the senior national team against Scotland, coming on as a substitute for Ryoichi Maeda in a 2–0 win. On 14 October 2009, he made his first start and scored his first goal against Togo in a 5–0 win.
Club
As of end of 2018 season
International
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Morimoto goal.
- Club
- Novara Calcio (2011–2012)
- Club
- Tokyo Verdy (2004–2006)
- Club
- Catania FC (2012–2013)
- Club
- JEF United Chiba (2013–2015)
- Club
- Japan national under-20 association football team (2004–2005)
- Club
- Japan national under-23 football team (2008–2008)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2009–2012)
- Club
- Kawasaki Frontale (2016–2017)
- Club
- Avispa Fukuoka
- Club
- Catania FC (2006–2011)
- Club
- Alshariqa (2013–2013)
Personal
In March 2021, Morimoto was involved in a traffic collision in Paraguay after crashing his vehicle against a motorcycle.
Clubs
- Avispa Fukuokacurrent
- Japan national under-20 association football team2004–2005
- Tokyo Verdy2004–2006
- Catania FC2006–2011
- Japan national under-23 football team2008–2008
- Japan men's national football team2009–2012
- Novara Calcio2011–2012
- Catania FC2012–2013
- Alshariqa2013–2013
- JEF United Chiba2013–2015
- Kawasaki Frontale2016–2017
Played together with
- Abraão Lincoln MartinsAvispa Fukuoka · 2007–2007
- Adaílson Pereira CoelhoTokyo Verdy · 2014–2014
- Adebayo AdigunTokyo Verdy · 2010–2011
Adel TaarabtAlshariqa · 2022
Ado OnaiwuJEF United Chiba · 2014- Ahmed BahjaAlshariqa · 2001–2002
- Akihiro HyodoJEF United Chiba · 2012–2014
- Akihiro TabataJEF United Chiba · 2001–2002
- Akira IbayashiTokyo Verdy · 2012
- Akira ItoKawasaki Frontale · 1995–2001
- Akira KonnoKawasaki Frontale · 2000–2006
- Akira TakabeTokyo Verdy · 2003–2003
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Takayuki Morimoto is a Japanese former professional footballer who plays as a second striker. He holds the record for the youngest Japanese player to make his professional debut, and the youngest scorer in J1 League history. Morimoto represented Japan at the 2004 and 2008 versions of the Toulon Tournament, the 2004 AFC Youth Championship, the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship, the 2008 Summer Olympics and the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
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