Yūto Nagatomo

FC Tokyo

Nagatomo officially signed with FC Tokyo in 2008, while at Meiji. But he made an appearance at J.League Cup as Special Designated Youth Player in 2007. Nagatomo made 84 appearances in his four years at FC Tokyo.

Cesena

In July 2010, Nagatomo was signed on loan by the newly promoted Serie A side Cesena, where he played the first half of the season as Cesena's starting left back. Before moving to Italy, Nagatomo gave a speech to 25,000 supporters just after the match involving F.C. Tokyo and Vissel Kobe on 17 July 2010. After being signed on a permanent deal, Nagatomo was then sold to Inter Milan.

Inter Milan

Due to his impressive performances for both Cesena and Japan in the 2011 Asian Cup, he was fully signed by Cesena in January 2011. But before making any league appearances he was sent straight out on loan to Inter Milan in exchange for Davide Santon also on loan, becoming the first East Asian player to sign with Inter Milan. Nagatomo, wearing number 55, made his debut for Nerazzurri on 6 February 2011, replacing Wesley Sneijder in the Serie A match against Roma, won by Inter 5–3. In the following game, Nagatomo came on as a late substitute against Juventus, before starting in both of the following games against Fiorentina and Cagliari. Nagatomo showed his versatility by playing right back against Sampdoria on 27 February, and finishing the whole 90 minutes. On 6 March 2011, Nagatomo scored his first goal for Inter in the 5–2 trashing…

Nagatomo earned his first international cap for Japan on 24 May 2008 in a friendly against Ivory Coast. His first international goal was scored in a friendly against Syria held on 13 November 2008. Nagatomo was also a member of the Japan U-21 team for the 2008 Summer Olympics.

2010 FIFA World Cup

He was called up to Japan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, starting all three group games and the round of 16 match against Paraguay, where Japan were eliminated in penalties.

2011 AFC Asian Cup

Nagatomo was selected as part of the Japan squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup by coach Alberto Zaccheroni. He featured in every game Japan played in the competition and helped them defeat Australia in the final, thus earning his first international honour.

2013 FIFA Confederations Cup

He was included in Alberto Zaccheroni's 23-man Japan squad for the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup where he featured in the three games before they were eliminated in the group stage.

2014 FIFA World Cup

Nagatomo was part of Japan's national squad to play in the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. He started in all three group matches but Japan was eliminated in the group stage.

2014–2018: 100th international cap

On 15 December 2014, Nagatomo was selected in Japan's squad for the 2015 AFC Asian Cup. He earned his 100th international cap on 10 November 2017, captaining Japan in a 3–1 friendly defeat to Brazil at Stade Pierre-Mauroy, Lille. He became only the seventh Japanese…

Club

As of match played 10 May 2026

International

As of match played 26 June 2026

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nagatomo goal.

Nagatomo is married to Japanese actress Airi Taira. The couple had maintained a long-distance relationship for several years as Taira was based in Japan. Nagatomo proposed to her on the San Siro pitch in February 2016 and they registered their marriage in January 2017. They have three sons. Both of them appeared in the Captain Tsubasa Olympics special which, aired as part of the annual Jikan Terebi Nihon no Sport wa Tsuyo in November 2019. He pursued a degree in Political Economy at the Meiji University, where he graduated in 2007.