Yoichiro Kakitani
After returning to Cerezo Osaka in 2016, Kakitani continued to make significant contributions to the team until 2020.
Yoichiro Kakitani is a Japanese former professional footballer known for his versatility as a forward and attacking midfielder.
He made history as the youngest player to sign a professional contract with Cerezo Osaka at just 16 years old.
Biography
Early Life
Yoichiro Kakitani was born in Osaka, Japan, and began his football journey at a remarkably young age. He joined the youth team of Cerezo Osaka when he was just four years old, showcasing his passion and talent for the sport early on. By the age of 16, Kakitani made history by signing his first professional contract with Cerezo Osaka, becoming the youngest player in the club's history to do so. He made his J-League debut on November 26, 2006, marking the beginning of a promising career.
Career
Kakitani's professional career saw him play for several clubs, starting with Cerezo Osaka from 2006 to 2014. During this time, he was loaned to Tokushima Vortis from 2009 to 2011, where he gained valuable experience. In 2014, he took a significant step in his career by signing with FC Basel in Switzerland, where he made an immediate impact, scoring his first goal just a week after his debut. Kakitani returned to Cerezo Osaka in 2016 and later played for Nagoya Grampus before rejoining Tokushima Vortis in 2023.
On the international stage, Kakitani represented Japan at various youth levels, including the U-17 and U-20 teams, where he excelled and was named the Most Valuable Player in the AFC U-17 Championship in 2006. He made his senior debut for the Japan national team in 2013, quickly establishing himself as a key player by scoring three goals in his first three matches during the EAFF East Asian Cup.
Legacy
Kakitani's contributions to football have been recognized through numerous honors, including winning the Swiss Super League with FC Basel and the EAFF East Asian Cup with the Japan national team. His individual accolades include being named the AFC U-17 Championship Most Valuable Player and the EAFF East Asian Cup Top Scorer in 2013. Kakitani's journey from a young boy in Osaka to a professional footballer is a testament to his dedication and skill in the sport.
Collected from open sources (2) · facts link to sources · AI-processed
Career & Clubs
Cerezo Osaka
Born in Osaka, Kakitani joined Cerezo Osaka's youth team at the age of 4. In 2006, he signed his first professional contract with Cerezo at 16 – the club record for the youngest player signed to a professional contract. He played his first J-League game on 26 November 2006. He also trained with the Arsenal F.C. and Inter Milan youth teams. Kakitani entered the e-School of Human Sciences, Waseda University in 2008. Kakitani was loaned to Tokushima Vortis on 18 June 2009 and returned to Cerezo Osaka in 2012.
Basel
On 7 July 2014 FC Basel announced that they had signed Kakitani on a four-year contract. Kakitani joined Basel to the start of the 2014–15 Swiss Super League season. He joined the team on 17 July for their 2014–15 season under head coach Paulo Sousa. Kakitani played his domestic league debut for the club in the away game in the Stockhorn Arena on 2 August, coming on as a substitute for Mohamed Elneny as Basel won 3–2 against Thun. He scored his first goal for his new club one week later, on 9 August, in the home game in the St. Jakob-Park as Basel won 4–1 against Zürich. The season 2014–15 was a successful one for Basel. Basel entered the Champions League in the group stage. They reached the knockout phase on 9 December 2014, as they managed a 1–1 draw at Anfield against Liverpool. But they were knocked out of the competition by Porto in the round of 16. At the end of the 2014–15 season, Basel won the championship for the sixth time in…
He was named Most Valuable Player in the AFC U-17 Championship 2006 after helping Japan win the tournament, scoring 4 goals. Kakitani scored two goals at 2007 FIFA U-17 World Cup in South Korea. Against France he scored a spectacular goal from the halfway line. Kakitani debuted for the Japan senior team at the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup. He played his first international match against China, scoring his first international goal in the 59th minute. He then scored twice against South Korea in a 2–1 win. His three goals from three matches made him top goalscorer as Japan won the tournament.
Club
As of the start from 3 of November 2023.
International
As of 14 October 2014
Under-17
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kakitani goal.
Under-20
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kakitani goal.
Senior team
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kakitani goal.
- Club
- Cerezo Osaka (2006–2014)
- Club
- Tokushima Vortis (2009–2011)
- Club
- FC Basel (2014–2016)
- Club
- Cerezo Osaka (2016–2020)
- Club
- Japan national under-17 football team (2005–2007)
- Club
- Japan national under-20 association football team (2007–2009)
- Club
- Japan men's national football team (2013–2014)
- Club
- Nagoya Grampus (2021–2022)
- Club
- Tokushima Vortis (2023–)
- National team
- Japan
Legacy
Basel
Swiss Super League: 2014–15, 2015–16 Cerezo Osaka
J.League Cup: 2017 Emperor's Cup: 2017 Nagoya Grampus J.League Cup: 2021 Japan
EAFF East Asian Cup: 2013 Japan U-17
AFC U-17 Championship: 2006 Individual
AFC U-17 Championship Most Valuable Player: 2006 EAFF East Asian Cup Top Scorer: 2013 J. League Division 1 Player of the Month: May 2013
Clubs
- Tokushima Vortis2023current
- Japan national under-17 football team2005–2007
- Cerezo Osaka2006–2014
- Japan national under-20 association football team2007–2009
- Tokushima Vortis2009–2011
- Japan men's national football team2013–2014
- FC Basel2014–2016
- Cerezo Osaka2016–2020
- Nagoya Grampus2021–2022
Played together with
Adama TraoréFC Basel · 2015- Ademar da Silva Braga JúniorCerezo Osaka · 1995–1995
- Adrian KnupFC Basel · 1986–1988
- Adrian KnupFC Basel · 1996–1998
Adriano Ferreira MartinsCerezo Osaka · 2010–2010- Adriano Ferreira MartinsTokushima Vortis · 2014–2014
- Adriano PimentaNagoya Grampus · 2001–2001
Adrie van KraayFC Basel · 1984–1985
Afimico PululuFC Basel- Aki ArimizuCerezo Osaka
Akihiro IenagaCerezo Osaka · 2010–2010- Akihiro NishimuraCerezo Osaka · 1981–1991
Archive
Passport
Identifiers & aliases
Yoichiro Kakitani is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward or an attacking midfielder.
Opinions of fans — not verified facts.
…