Naoya Kikuchi facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Naoya Kikuchi
菊地 直哉

Personal information
Full name	Naoya Kikuchi
Date of birth	(1984-11-24) November 24, 1984 (age 40)
Place of birth	Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
Height	1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Sagan Tosu (assistant manager)
Youth career
1997–1999	Shimizu S-Pulse
2000–2002	Shimizu Shogyo High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2003–2007	Júbilo Iwata	79	(5)
2005	→ Albirex Niigata (loan)	15	(1)
2008–2009	Carl Zeiss Jena	20	(0)
2009–2010	Oita Trinita	45	(0)
2011–2013	Albirex Niigata	45	(1)
2013–2016	Sagan Tosu	71	(0)
2016–2018	Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo	33	(0)
2019	Avispa Fukuoka	10	(0)
International career
2001	Japan U-17	3	(0)
2003	Japan U-20	5	(0)
2004	Japan U-23	1	(0)
2010	Japan	1	(0)
Medal record Júbilo Iwata Runner-up J1 League 2003 Winner Emperor's Cup 2003 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2004 Representing  Japan AFC U-19 Championship Silver 2002 Qatar
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Naoya Kikuchi (菊地 直哉, Kikuchi Naoya, born November 24, 1984) is a Japanese football coach and a former professional football player. He is currently an assistant manager for the J2 League club Sagan Tosu.

He played in different positions, including central midfielder, central defender, and left-back.

Naoya Kikuchi's Club Career

Early Football Days

Naoya Kikuchi started his football journey early. He played for the junior youth team of Shimizu S-Pulse. He also attended Shimizu Commercial High School. This school is famous for its strong football tradition. Many great players, like Shinji Ono, went there.

Playing for Japanese Clubs

After finishing school, Naoya joined Júbilo Iwata, a professional team. He also had a short loan spell at Albirex Niigata. In 2002, he even got to try out with famous European clubs. He had trials with Arsenal in England and Feyenoord in the Netherlands.

Moving to Germany

After playing for Júbilo Iwata, Naoya moved to Germany. He joined FC Carl Zeiss Jena in 2008. He played there for about a year.

Returning to Japan

In the summer of 2009, Naoya left FC Carl Zeiss Jena. He tried out with another German club, FC Schalke 04. Then, on July 27, 2009, he signed with Oita Trinita back in Japan. In 2010, he moved from Oita to Albirex Niigata. He played for Albirex Niigata for several years. Later, he joined Sagan Tosu and then Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. Naoya Kikuchi retired from playing football at the end of the 2019 season.

Naoya Kikuchi's International Career

Representing Japan's Youth Teams

Naoya Kikuchi played for Japan's national youth teams. He was part of the Japan U-23 team. This team competed in the 2004 Olympic football tournament. He also played in the 2001 FIFA U-17 World Championship. He was part of the Japan U-20 national team for the 2003 FIFA World Youth Championship.

Playing for the Senior National Team

Naoya made his first appearance for the senior Japan team. This happened on January 6, 2010. It was a qualification match for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup. The game was against Yemen.

Career Statistics

Club Performance Details

International Appearances

Source:

See also

In Spanish: Naoya Kikuchi para niños