Hotaru Yamaguchi facts for kids
Yamaguchi lining up for Japan at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 6 October 1990 | ||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Nabari, Mie, Japan | ||||||||||||
| Height | 1.74 m | ||||||||||||
| Playing position | Defensive midfielder | ||||||||||||
| Club information | |||||||||||||
| Current club | V-Varen Nagasaki | ||||||||||||
| Number | 5 | ||||||||||||
| Youth career | |||||||||||||
| 2000–2002 | Minowa West SC | ||||||||||||
| 2003–2008 | Cerezo Osaka | ||||||||||||
| Senior career* | |||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† | ||||||||||
| 2009–2015 | Cerezo Osaka | 140 | (11) | ||||||||||
| 2016 | Hannover 96 | 6 | (0) | ||||||||||
| 2016–2018 | Cerezo Osaka | 85 | (3) | ||||||||||
| 2019–2024 | Vissel Kobe | 192 | (23) | ||||||||||
| 2025– | V-Varen Nagasaki | 0 | (0) | ||||||||||
| National team‡ | |||||||||||||
| 2010–2012 | Japan U23 | 29 | (1) | ||||||||||
| 2013–2019 | Japan | 48 | (3) | ||||||||||
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Honours
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† Appearances (Goals). |
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Hotaru Yamaguchi (山口 蛍, Yamaguchi Hotaru, born 6 October 1990) is a Japanese professional footballer. He plays as a defensive midfielder, which means he helps protect his team's goal. He currently plays for V-Varen Nagasaki and was a member of the Japan national team until 2019.
Contents
Hotaru Yamaguchi's Football Journey
Hotaru Yamaguchi started playing football when he was in third grade. He mostly played as an attacking midfielder, helping his team score goals.
Joining Cerezo Osaka's Youth Team
When he entered junior high, Hotaru tried out for several youth football academies. He chose to join the Cerezo Osaka Under-15 team. He quickly showed his talent there.
In 2006, Hotaru moved up to the Cerezo Under-18 team. He became the captain of this team. In 2008, his team won the JFA Prince League U-18, and Hotaru was named the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP).
Playing for Cerezo Osaka's Senior Team
In 2009, Hotaru Yamaguchi joined Cerezo Osaka's main team. He even spent three months training in Brazil with the Palmeiras Under-21 academy.
In his second season, he was chosen for the Japan Under-21 team. He played in every game when Japan won a gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou.
Hotaru started playing a lot more for Cerezo Osaka in 2011. He scored his first league goal against Urawa Reds. He played in 30 games that season. In 2012, he became a regular player for Cerezo. He often played in the middle of the field with Takahiro Ogihara for both his club and the national Under-23 team.
Time with Hannover 96
On December 21, 2015, Hotaru Yamaguchi moved to Germany to play for Hannover 96. He played six games for them in 2016. However, he returned to Cerezo Osaka later that same year.
Moving to Vissel Kobe
On December 19, 2018, Hotaru Yamaguchi made a big move to Vissel Kobe. He wanted to help the team win the J1 League and the AFC Champions League. He later achieved his goal of winning the league championship with them. Reports said he signed a three-year contract worth a lot of money.
Joining V-Varen Nagasaki
On December 23, 2024, it was announced that Hotaru Yamaguchi would officially transfer to V-Varen Nagasaki. He will start playing for this J2 club in 2025.
Hotaru Yamaguchi's International Career
Hotaru Yamaguchi also played for Japan's national teams.
Playing for Japan's Under-23 Team
He represented the Japan Under-23 team and helped them qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics. He was part of the team that finished fourth at the Olympics.
Playing for Japan's Senior Team
In July 2013, Hotaru was called up to the senior Japan side for the first time. He played in all three matches at the 2013 EAFF East Asian Cup and was named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.
In May 2018, he was chosen for Japan's team to play in the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. This is one of the biggest football tournaments in the world.
Hotaru Yamaguchi's Achievements
Hotaru Yamaguchi has won many awards and championships throughout his career.
Cerezo Osaka
- Emperor's Cup: 2017 (a major Japanese cup competition)
- J.League Cup: 2017 (another Japanese cup competition)
- Japanese Super Cup: 2018 (a match between the league and cup winners)
Vissel Kobe
- J1 League: 2023, 2024 (Japan's top football league)
- Emperor's Cup: 2019, 2024
- Japanese Super Cup: 2020
Japan National Team
- EAFF East Asian Cup: 2013
Japan Under-23 Team
- Asian Games: 2010 (a gold medal)
Individual Awards
- EAFF East Asian Cup Most Valuable Player: 2013
- J.League Best XI: 2013, 2017, 2023 (chosen as one of the best players in the league)
Images for kids
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Yamaguchi lining up for Japan at the 2018 FIFA World Cup
See also
In Spanish: Hotaru Yamaguchi para niños
