Yoshito Ōkubo facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Yoshito Okubo

Okubo in 2016
Personal information
Date of birth	(1982-06-09) 9 June 1982 (age 43)
Place of birth	Kanda, Fukuoka, Japan
Height	1.70 m
Playing position	Forward
Youth career
1998–2000	Kunimi High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps†	(Gls)†
2001–2006	Cerezo Osaka	87	(39)
2005–2006	→ Mallorca (loan)	39	(5)
2007–2008	Vissel Kobe	62	(25)
2009	VfL Wolfsburg	9	(0)
2009–2012	Vissel Kobe	92	(25)
2013–2016	Kawasaki Frontale	130	(82)
2017	FC Tokyo	28	(8)
2018	Kawasaki Frontale	12	(2)
2018–2019	Júbilo Iwata	37	(4)
2020	Tokyo Verdy	19	(0)
2021	Cerezo Osaka	29	(6)
Total		544	(196)
National team
2004	Japan U23	3	(2)
2003–2014	Japan	60	(6)
Honours Cerezo Osaka Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2001 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2003 Kawasaki Frontale Winner J1 League 2018 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2016 Representing  Japan Asian Games Silver 2002 Busan Team AFC U-19 Championship Silver 2000 Iran
Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only. † Appearances (Goals).

Yoshito Okubo (大久保 嘉人, Ōkubo Yoshito, born 9 June 1982) is a Japanese former professional footballer. He played as a forward. Okubo also played for the Japan national team. He scored six goals in 60 games for his country.

Playing for Clubs: Okubo's Career Journey

Okubo was born in Kanda, Fukuoka on June 9, 1982. After finishing high school, he joined the J1 League club Cerezo Osaka in 2001. He quickly became an important player. He played as a forward and an attacking midfielder.

Early Years at Cerezo Osaka

In his first season, Cerezo Osaka finished last. They were moved down to the J2 League. In 2002, Okubo scored 18 goals. This made him the second-highest scorer in the league. Cerezo Osaka finished second and moved back up to J1 after just one year. From 2003, he scored more than 15 goals each season in J1. In 2003, he was named the Asian Young Footballer of the Year.

Playing in Spain: Mallorca Loan

In 2005, Okubo moved to La Liga club Mallorca in Spain. He played there on loan. Even though the team had a tough time, Mallorca managed to stay in La Liga. This was during the 2004–05 season. He played many games as a substitute forward. However, his playing time decreased in 2006.

Return to Japan and Vissel Kobe

Okubo returned to Cerezo Osaka in June 2006. At that time, Cerezo was struggling. They were at the bottom of the league. Even with Okubo playing, Cerezo finished 17th. They were moved down to J2 again.

In 2007, Okubo joined Vissel Kobe, another J1 club. He played as a left midfielder for two seasons. He scored more than ten goals in both seasons.

Time in Germany: VfL Wolfsburg

On January 3, 2009, Okubo moved to VfL Wolfsburg in Germany. This club plays in the Bundesliga. He only stayed for six months. After that, he returned to Vissel Kobe. When he came back, he was the first Japanese forward to have won the Bundesliga title.

Back to Vissel Kobe and Kawasaki Frontale

In June 2009, Okubo rejoined Vissel Kobe. He played in all 19 games and scored 8 goals in the 2009 season. Injuries affected his playing time in 2010. But he remained a regular player until 2012. In 2012, Vissel Kobe finished 16th and was moved down to the J2 League.

After Vissel Kobe was relegated, Okubo moved to Kawasaki Frontale in 2013. He was a key player there. He scored 26 goals in his first season. He became the top scorer in the 2013 season. He played over 30 games every season. He was the top scorer for three years in a row, until 2015.

Later Career: FC Tokyo and Júbilo Iwata

At the end of the 2016 season, Okubo announced he would leave Kawasaki Frontale. He signed with FC Tokyo for 2017. He played one season there and scored eight goals.

In 2018, Okubo rejoined Kawasaki Frontale. However, he was not a regular starter. He mostly played as a substitute forward. In June 2018, Okubo moved to Júbilo Iwata.

Playing for Japan: International Career

In 2003, Okubo was chosen for the Japan national football team. He was picked by manager Zico. His first game for Japan was on May 31, 2003. It was a friendly match against South Korea. He came on as a substitute. He played many games as a forward in 2003. However, his chances to play decreased from 2004. He found it hard to score goals under Zico.

Olympic and World Cup Appearances

Okubo was also part of the Japan U-23 national team. They played in the 2004 Summer Olympics. Japan did not make it past the first round. They finished fourth in their group.

In August 2007, Okubo was called up to the Japan team again. This was his first call-up in two years. He scored his first goal for Japan on October 17, 2007. It was in a friendly game against Egypt.

In 2010, Okubo was chosen for the 2010 World Cup. He played as a left midfielder in all four matches. Japan made it to the knockout stage of the tournament.

His selection for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was a surprise. Coach Alberto Zaccheroni had only picked him once in four years before that.

Career Highlights and Awards

Okubo achieved several important things in his football career.

Team Achievements

• Bundesliga: 2008–09 (with VfL Wolfsburg)

Individual Awards

• Asian Young Footballer of the Year: 2003
• J.League Top Scorer: 2013, 2014, 2015
• J.League Best XI: 2013, 2014, 2015

Images for kids

• 

  Okubo in 2016

See also

In Spanish: Yoshito Ōkubo para niños