Yū Hirakawa (平河 悠, Hirakawa Yū, born 3 January 2001) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a forward for EFL Championship club Bristol City.
Early life
Hirakawa was born in Kashima. He played youth football for Saga Higashi High School and Yamanashi Gakuin University.[1]
Career
In September 2021, it was announced that Hirakawa would join J2 League club Machida Zelvia as a designated special player.[2] He made his debut for Machida on the 5 December 2021 against Albirex Niigata.[3] He scored his first goal for the club on the 13 March 2022, scoring in the 20th minute against Fagiano Okayama.[4] He was part of the Machida team that won the 2023 J2 League.
In April 2024, Hirakawa won his first Monthly MVP award for his performances at the start of the 2024 J1 League season.[5]
On 9 July 2024, Hirakawa joined EFL Championship club Bristol City on a season-long loan.[6][7]
On 24 February 2025, Hirakawa joined City on a permanent deal until June 2028.[8]
Career statistics
Club
- As of 29 December 2024[9]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Machida Zelvia | 2021 | J2 League | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | J2 League | 16 | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 16 | 2 | |||
| 2023 | J2 League | 35 | 6 | 2 | 2 | — | — | 37 | 8 | |||
| 2024 | J1 League | 18 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | 19 | 2 | ||
| Total | 70 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | — | 73 | 12 | |||
| Bristol City (loan) | 2024–25[10] | EFL Championship | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 21 | 2 | |
| Career total | 91 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 94 | 14 | ||
- ^ Includes Emperor's Cup, FA Cup
- ^ Includes J.League Cup, EFL Cup
Honours
Machida Zelvia
Japan U23
Individual
- J1 League Monthly MVP: February/March 2024
References
- ^ "[MOM735]山梨学院大FW平河悠(3年)_―サッカーが好きすぎて、凄い奴―" [Yamanashi Gakuin University forward Yū Hirakawa (3rd year) -An amazing guy who loves soccer so much-]. ゲキサカ (in Japanese). 24 August 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "「今シーズンからFC町田ゼルビアの一員」"2年後"加入内定の山梨学院大MF平河悠が特別指定選手に" [Yamanashi Gakuin University midfielder Yū Hirakawa, who is scheduled to join FC Machida Zelvia from this season, becomes a specially designated player.]. ゲキサカ (in Japanese). 24 September 2021. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Albirex Niigata vs Machida Zelvia - 5 December 2021". int.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Machida Zelvia vs Fagiano Okayama - 13 March 2022". int.soccerway.com.
- ^ "2・3月度「明治安田Ｊリーグ KONAMI 月間MVP」を発表！「月間ベストゴール」、「月間優秀監督賞」「月間ヤングプレーヤー賞」も決定！：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）" [Announcing the “Meiji Yasuda J League KONAMI Monthly MVP” for February and March! “Best Goal of the Month”, “Outstanding Coach of the Month” and “Young Player of the Month” have also been decided!]. Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Bristol City sign Yū Hirakawa from Machida Zelvia". BBC Sport. 9 July 2024. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ Morgan, Ryan (9 July 2024). "City sign Hirakawa". Bristol City FC. Retrieved 9 July 2024.
- ^ "Hirakawa permanent move confirmed". Bristol City official website. 24 February 2025. Retrieved 24 February 2025.
- ^ "Soccer D.B. : 2024 Yū Hirakawa Result by Season". soccer-db.net. Retrieved 16 April 2024.
- ^ "Games played by Yū Hirakawa in 2024/2025". Soccerbase. Centurycomm. Retrieved 30 December 2024.
External links
- Yu Hirakawa at Soccerway.com
- Yu Hirakawa at WorldFootball.net
- Yu Hirakawa at Soccerbase.com
- Yu Hirakawa at FBref.com
- Yu Hirakawa at ESPN FC
- Yū Hirakawa at J.League (archive) (in Japanese)
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