Koji Nakazato facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Koji Nakazato | ||
| Date of birth | April 24, 1982 | ||
| Place of birth | Kamakura, Kanagawa, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Playing position | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1998–2000 | Shonan Bellmare | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps† | (Gls)† |
| 2000–2007 | Shonan Bellmare | 116 | (3) |
| 2006 | →Sanfrecce Hiroshima (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| Total | 128 | (3) | |
|
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Koji Nakazato (中里 宏司, Nakazato Koji, born April 24, 1982) is a former Japanese football player. He played as a midfielder for several years.
Contents
Koji Nakazato's Football Journey
Koji Nakazato was born in Kamakura, Japan, on April 24, 1982. He started his football career early, joining the youth team of Shonan Bellmare in 1998. This team was based in his hometown.
Starting His Professional Career
In 2000, Koji Nakazato officially joined the senior team of Shonan Bellmare. This club played in the J2 League, which is one of Japan's professional football leagues. He made his first appearance in 2000.
By 2001, Koji became a regular player for Shonan Bellmare. He often played as a side midfielder, helping his team both in attack and defense.
Dealing with Injuries
Football can be tough on players, and Koji faced some challenges. In 2002, he injured his shoulder. This injury meant he could not play many matches that year.
He returned to play in 2003. He often played as a defensive midfielder, a position where players help protect their team's goal. However, in June 2004, he injured his left knee. This was another setback for his career.
Loan to Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Koji came back to play in 2005, but he still found it hard to play many games. In 2006, he moved to Sanfrecce Hiroshima on a temporary transfer, called a loan. Sanfrecce Hiroshima played in the J1 League, which is the top professional football league in Japan.
During his time at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, Koji played in many matches. He often came on as a substitute, meaning he entered the game later to help his team.
Returning to Shonan Bellmare and Retirement
In 2007, Koji Nakazato returned to his original club, Shonan Bellmare. He continued to play for them in the J2 League. At the end of the 2007 season, Koji decided to retire from professional football. He had played for several years and contributed to his teams.
