Takashi Hirano facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Takashi Hirano
平野 孝

Personal information
Date of birth	(1974-07-15) July 15, 1974 (age 50)
Place of birth	Shizuoka, Shizuoka, Japan
Height	1.80 m
Playing position	Midfielder
Youth career
1990–1992	Shimizu Shogyo High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
1993–2000	Nagoya Grampus Eight	222	(43)
2000	Kyoto Purple Sanga	5	(1)
2001	Júbilo Iwata	3	(1)
2002	Vissel Kobe	28	(1)
2003–2005	Tokyo Verdy	80	(8)
2006	Yokohama F. Marinos	9	(0)
2007	Omiya Ardija	3	(1)
2008–2010	Vancouver Whitecaps	65	(1)
Total		415	(56)
National team
1997–2000	Japan	15	(4)
Honours Nagoya Grampus Eight Runner-up J1 League 1996 Winner Emperor's Cup 1995 Winner Emperor's Cup 1999 Júbilo Iwata Runner-up J1 League 2001 Runner-up J.League Cup 2001 Tokyo Verdy Winner Emperor's Cup 2004
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Takashi Hirano (平野 孝, Hirano Takashi, born July 15, 1974) is a Japanese former professional footballer. He played as a midfielder, which is a player who helps both in defense and attack. Hirano also played for the Japan national team.

Takashi Hirano's Football Journey

Takashi Hirano started his football journey in high school. He went to Shimizu Shogyo High School. In 1991, his team won the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament. This was a big achievement early in his career.

Playing for Clubs

Hirano began his professional career in 1993. He joined Nagoya Grampus Eight in the J1 League, Japan's top football league. He played for this team for many years.

• He helped Nagoya Grampus Eight win the Emperor's Cup twice, in 1995 and 1999.
• They also won the Japanese Super Cup in 1996.
• During his time there, he scored 43 goals in 213 games.

In 2000, Hirano moved to Kyoto Purple Sanga. He played only a few games before joining Júbilo Iwata in 2001. After that, he played for several other Japanese clubs. These included Vissel Kobe, Tokyo Verdy, Yokohama F. Marinos, and Omiya Ardija.

Moving to North America

In 2008, Hirano decided to play football in North America. He signed with the Vancouver Whitecaps. This team played in the USL First Division in Canada.

• On September 30, 2008, he was named to the USL First Division All-League Team. This means he was one of the best players in the league.
• On October 12, 2008, he helped the Whitecaps win the USL First Division Championship. They beat the Puerto Rico Islanders 2–1.
• The Whitecaps extended his contract for the 2009 season.

Takashi Hirano announced he was retiring from playing football in January 2011.

Playing for Japan

Before playing for the senior national team, Hirano played for the Japan U-20 national team. They competed in the 1992 AFC Youth Championship.

• On June 8, 1997, he made his first appearance for the Japan national team. He even scored a goal in this debut game against Croatia.
• He also took part in the qualifying games for the 1998 FIFA World Cup in 1997.
• In 1998, he was chosen to be part of Japan's squad for the 1998 FIFA World Cup. He played in two games as a substitute.
• Overall, he played 15 games for Japan and scored 4 goals between 1997 and 2000.

Career Achievements

Takashi Hirano had a successful career, winning several titles with his clubs.

Club Honors

• Nagoya Grampus Eight
  • Emperor's Cup: 1995, 1999
  • Japanese Super Cup: 1996
• Tokyo Verdy 1969
  • Emperor's Cup: 2004
  • Japanese Super Cup: 2005
• Vancouver Whitecaps
  • USL First Division Championship: 2008
  • Vancouver Whitecaps Outstanding Defender: 2009
  • Vancouver Whitecaps Newcomer of the Year: 2008

Images for kids

• 

  Takashi Hirano in his playing days.

See also

In Spanish: Takashi Hirano para niños