Issey Nakajima-Farran facts for kids
![]() Nakajima-Farran in 2015
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Personal information | |||
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Date of birth | 16 May 1984 | ||
Place of birth | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | ||
Height | 1.78 m | ||
Playing position | Winger, forward | ||
Youth career | |||
1993–1994 | Verdy Kawasaki | ||
1995–1997 | Crystal Palace | ||
2000–2002 | Tokyo Verdy | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
2003–2006 | Albirex Niigata | 0 | (0) |
2004–2006 | → Albirex Niigata (S) (loan) | 45 | (26) |
2006–2007 | Vejle | 44 | (16) |
2007–2009 | Nordsjælland | 46 | (13) |
2009–2011 | Horsens | 55 | (11) |
2011–2012 | Brisbane Roar | 23 | (4) |
2012–2013 | AEK Larnaca | 10 | (1) |
2013–2014 | → Alki Larnaca (loan) | 15 | (3) |
2014 | Toronto FC | 5 | (2) |
2014 | Montreal Impact | 13 | (0) |
2015 | Suburense | 2 | (2) |
2015–2017 | Terengganu | 61 | (32) |
2018 | Pahang | 10 | (6) |
2019 | Pacific FC | 17 | (1) |
2021 | UE Tàrrega | 12 | (3) |
2021–2023 | Cubelles | 39 | (24) |
Total | 397 | (144) | |
National team | |||
2005 | Singapore U21 | 1 | (1) |
2006–2016 | Canada | 38 | (1) |
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Issey Morgan Nakajima-Farran, born on May 16, 1984, is a former professional soccer player from Canada. He was known for playing as a winger or a forward, which are attacking positions in soccer. Issey played for many different teams around the world during his career. He played in countries like Japan, Singapore, Denmark, Australia, Cyprus, Canada, Malaysia, and Spain. He also represented Singapore as a young player and later played for the senior Canadian national team.
Contents
Issey's Early Life and Soccer Start
Issey Nakajima-Farran was born in Calgary, Canada. His father was English-Canadian, and his mother was Japanese. When he was three years old, his family moved to Tokyo, Japan. At age ten, they moved again to London, England.
Issey started playing soccer at a young age with Verdy Kawasaki in Japan. After moving to England, he joined the Crystal Palace Academy. When he was 16, he went back to Japan. There, he signed a youth contract with Tokyo Verdy, which was his old club, Verdy Kawasaki, with a new name.
Issey's Club Soccer Journey
Playing in Japan and Singapore
In 2003, Issey began his professional soccer career. He signed with Albirex Niigata, a team in Japan's J2 League.
In 2004, he was loaned to Albirex Niigata Singapore. This team was a satellite club in Singapore's S.League. He played there for two seasons. In 2005, he was named the S.League Young Player of the Year. This award recognized him as the best young player in the league.
Moving to Denmark
In early 2006, Issey tried out for a few English teams. These included Millwall, Portsmouth, and Reading.
Later in 2006, he signed with Vejle Boldklub, a team in the Danish First Division. He helped his team win the championship. This win meant they moved up to the Superliga, which is the top soccer league in Denmark. In 2007, he extended his contract with Vejle.
In July 2007, Issey joined FC Nordsjælland, another team in the Danish Superliga. He signed a four-year contract. On July 17, 2007, he played his first game for the club. He also scored his first goal in that game, helping his team win 1-0 against FC Copenhagen.
In 2009, Issey tried out for a team in the Netherlands. In September 2009, he signed with AC Horsens, a second-tier Danish team. In his first season, he helped them get promoted to the top league. In August 2011, he left the club.
Playing in Australia
In August 2011, Issey signed a one-year contract with Brisbane Roar. This team plays in the A-League in Australia. He scored his first goal for Brisbane in a big 7-1 win. This happened against Adelaide United on October 28, 2011.
In November 2011, he scored two more goals in a 4-0 victory. This game was against Perth Glory. He was named the Man of the Match for his great performance. This win also set a new Australian sports record. His team went 36 games without losing!
Time in Cyprus
In July 2012, Issey signed a two-year deal with AEK Larnaca. This team plays in the top league in Cyprus.
In January 2013, he was loaned to Alki Larnaca. He played for them for the rest of the 2012-13 season.
First Time Playing in Canada
In January 2014, Issey tried out for Toronto FC. This is a Canadian club in Major League Soccer. On March 28, 2014, he officially signed with the team. He scored his first goal for Toronto FC on April 5. It was in a 2-0 away win against the Columbus Crew.
On May 16, 2014, Issey was traded to the Montreal Impact. He was released by the club at the end of the 2014 season.
Playing in Malaysia
After leaving MLS, Issey joined CF Suburense in Spain. This was a lower-tier league. He played there to stay fit and be close to his family.
In April 2015, he signed with Terengganu. This team plays in the Malaysia Super League. After his first season, the club was moved down to a lower league. Issey chose to stay with them. He helped them get promoted back to the top league in 2017. In November 2017, he decided to leave the club.
In May 2018, he signed with Pahang, another Malaysian team.
Second Time Playing in Canada
In March 2019, Issey signed with Pacific FC. This team is part of the Canadian Premier League. He made his debut on April 28 as a substitute. He scored his first goal on July 1 from a free kick.
In January 2020, he joined an amateur team called CCB LFC United.
Back to Spain
In March 2021, Issey signed for UE Tàrrega, a Spanish club. They play in the fifth tier of Spanish soccer.
Later in 2021, he joined CF Cubelles. This team plays in the seventh tier. In July 2022, he extended his contract for another season.
In April 2023, Issey retired from playing professional soccer. In March 2024, he started playing in the seven-a-side Kings League with Rayo de Barcelona.
Issey's International Career
Issey Nakajima-Farran has citizenship in Canada, Japan, and Britain. His father is English-Canadian, and his mother is Japanese.
Playing for Singapore (Youth)
In 2005, Issey was invited to play for the Singapore U21 national team. They played against Japan U23. Issey was named Man of the Match. He scored a goal and helped with another in a 2-2 tie. Singapore then won in penalty kicks, and Issey scored his kick. He hoped this would lead to playing for Japan, but the Japanese coach was not interested. There was interest in him playing for Singapore's main team. He could get a Singaporean passport after playing there for two years.
Playing for Canada (Senior)
In November 2006, Issey was called up to play for the Canadian national team. This was for a friendly game against Hungary. He made his debut in that match on November 12, 2006.
He scored his first international goal on June 15, 2008. This was in a World Cup qualification game. It was against St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He played a total of 38 games for Canada. He also played in three CONCACAF Gold Cup tournaments. These were in 2007, 2009, and 2013.
Issey's Personal Life
Issey has a brother named Paris Nakajima-Farran. Paris was also a professional soccer player.
Issey is also an artist. He started painting when he was 13 years old after breaking his ankle. He has sold more than two dozen of his paintings.
After he stopped playing soccer, he bought a yacht to live on in Barcelona. He had also lived on a boat in Vancouver Island when he played for Pacific FC in 2019.
Honours and Awards
Issey Nakajima-Farran won several awards and championships during his career:
- Albirex Niigata
- J2 League: 2003
- Vejle Boldklub
- Danish First Division: 2005–06
- AC Horsens
- Danish First Division: 2009–10
- Brisbane Roar
- A-League: 2011–12
- Montreal Impact
- Canadian Championship: 2014
Individual Awards
- Singapore 'Young Player of the Year': 2005
- PFAM Player of the Month: August 2015, October 2015
Images for kids
See also
In Spanish: Issey Nakajima-Farran para niños