Sota Kitano (北野 颯太, Kitano Sota, born 13 August 2004) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for J1 League club, Cerezo Osaka.[2]
Career
On 25 October 2020, Kitano made his league debut against Gamba Osaka U-23.[3] In doing so, he became the youngest player to debut in an official match at 16 years, 2 months and 12 days, a record formerly held by forward Yoichiro Kakitani.[4]
On 18 February 2022, Kitano was registered as a type 2 player for J League matches.[5] On 25 February 2022, he signed a professional contract with the club.[6] Kitano scored his first professional goal against Kashima Antlers on 2 March 2022, scoring in the 12th minute. At 17 years, 6 months and 17 days old, he became the club's youngest player to score in an official match, breaking Takumi Minamino's record of 18 years, 2 months and 7 days old when he scored his first professional goal.[7] He won the 2022 New Hero Award.[4] On 6 June 2023, Kitano scored his first J1 goal against Vissel Kobe on 10 June 2023, scoring in the 90th+3rd minute.[8] In July 2024, he studied for two weeks at Almere City, which was a turning point for him.[9]
International career
Kitano was called up to the Japan U20s on 7 February 2023 for the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup.[10]
Kitano was called up to the Japan U20s on 9 May 2023 for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.[11]
Career statistics
Club
- As of match played 14 February 2025.[12]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Cerezo Osaka U-23 | 2020 | J3 League | 8 | 0 | – | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||
| Cerezo Osaka | 2022 | J1 League | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10[a] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 29 | 3 |
| 2023 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4[a] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 5 | ||
| 2024 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3[a] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 5 | ||
| 2025 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0[a] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | ||
| Career total | 58 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 75 | 15 | ||
- Notes
- ^ a b c d Appearances in the J.League Cup
References
- ^ "FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023™ SQUAD LIST: Japan (JPN)" (PDF). FIFA. 22 May 2023. p. 15. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
- ^ a b "北野 颯太". セレッソ大阪オフィシャルウェブサイト | Cerezo OSAKA (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 March 2022.
- ^ "Cerezo Osaka II vs Gamba Osaka II - 25 October 2020". int.soccerway.com.
- ^ a b "セレッソ大阪、そして日本サッカーの未来を担う18歳北野颯太。「日本をベスト８に導ける選手になりたい」". sportiva.shueisha.co.jp (in Japanese).
- ^ "セレッソ大阪U-18所属選手 Jリーグ選手登録（2種）完了のお知らせ". www.cerezo.jp (in Japanese).
- ^ "セレッソ大阪U-18 北野 颯太選手 プロ契約のお知らせ". www.cerezo.jp (in Japanese).
- ^ "Ｃ大阪17歳ＦＷ北野颯太がプロ初得点、南野拓実超えクラブ最年少、ルヴァン杯史上４番目". www.nikkansports.com (in Japanese).
- ^ "【Ｃ大阪】18歳北野颯太のJ1初ゴールで劇的勝利「特に母には苦労をかけてきた」言葉詰まらせ". www.nikkansports.com (in Japanese).
- ^ "「自分たち若い選手が引っ張っていく」C大阪浮上の"キーマン"北野颯太の変化とは". www.soccer-king.jp (in Japanese).
- ^ "U-20 Japan National Team squad - AFC U20 Asian Cup Uzbekistan 2023 (3/1-18)". Japan Football Association. 15 February 2023.
- ^ "U-20日本代表メンバー FIFA U-20ワールドカップアルゼンチン2023" [Japan U-20 national team for the FIFA U-20 World Cup Argentina 2023]. Japan Football Association. 8 May 2023.
- ^ Sota Kitano at Soccerway
External links
- Sota Kitano at J.League (archive) (in Japanese)
- Profile at Cerezo Osaka U-18
- Profile at Cerezo Osaka
