Naoki Chiba facts for kids
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Naoki Chiba | ||
| Date of birth | July 24, 1977 | ||
| Place of birth | Sendai, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10+1⁄2 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 1993–1995 | Tohoku Gakuin High School | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 1996–2010 | Vegalta Sendai | 430 | (18) |
| Total | 430 | (18) | |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals | |||
Naoki Chiba (千葉 直樹, Chiba Naoki, born July 24, 1977) is a Japanese former professional football player. He played as a midfielder for Vegalta Sendai for his entire career. He was known for his strong defensive play and leadership on the field.
Contents
Naoki Chiba's Football Journey
Naoki Chiba was born in Sendai, Japan, on July 24, 1977. After finishing high school, he began his professional football career in 1996. He joined a local club called Brummel Sendai. This club later changed its name to Vegalta Sendai.
Becoming a Key Player
From 1997, Naoki Chiba became a regular player for his team. He played many games as a defensive midfielder. This position is important for protecting the team's goal. He stayed with the club for a very long time.
Moving Up the Leagues
In 1999, his club, Vegalta Sendai, was promoted to a new league called J2 League. This was an exciting step for the team. In 2001, they did very well, finishing in second place. This success meant they were promoted again, this time to the top league, J1 League, starting in 2002.
Challenges and Return to Form
When Vegalta Sendai moved to the J1 League, new players joined the team. This meant Naoki Chiba had fewer chances to play in 2002 and 2003. The club was then relegated back to the J2 League in 2004. However, from 2004, Naoki Chiba became a regular player once more. He continued to be a vital part of the team.
Winning the J2 League Title
In 2009, Naoki Chiba helped his team achieve a great success. Vegalta Sendai won the J2 League championship. This victory meant they were promoted back to the J1 League for the 2010 season. It was their first time back in the top league in seven years. Naoki Chiba retired from playing football at the end of the 2010 season. He played his entire professional career with the same club.
Career Statistics Overview
Naoki Chiba played a total of 430 league games during his career. He scored 18 goals in those matches. He also played in cup competitions, bringing his total appearances to 472 games with 19 goals. These numbers show his long and dedicated career with Vegalta Sendai.
More About Naoki Chiba
- You can find more information about Naoki Chiba's career on the official J.League website.
See also
In Spanish: Naoki Chiba para niños
