1. Overview
Ayumu Tachibana (立花 歩夢Tachibana AyumuJapanese, born November 4, 1995) is a Japanese football player who primarily plays as a forward. His career has spanned across various leagues in Japan, including the J2 League and J3 League, and has also included stints in Brazil, Australia, and South Korea. Tachibana began his professional journey with Yokohama FC in 2018 after a notable university career where he contributed significantly to his team's championship success.
2. Early Life and Amateur Career
Ayumu Tachibana's formative years and early football development took place in Japan before his entry into professional football.
2.1. Early Background
Ayumu Tachibana was born on November 4, 1995, in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He stands at 70 in (178 cm) tall and weighs 161 lb (73 kg). His preferred foot is his right.
2.2. Youth and University Career
Tachibana's youth football journey began with Minamiyurigaoka SC (南百合丘SCMinamiyurigaoka SCJapanese) during his elementary school years, followed by FC Tama (FC多摩FC TamaJapanese) while attending Kawasaki Municipal Kakio Junior High School. He then progressed to Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School (流通経済大学付属柏高等学校Ryūtsū Keizai Daigaku Fuzoku Kashiwa Kōtō GakkōJapanese) from 2011 to 2013. During his time at high school, Tachibana achieved notable success, winning the Prince Takamado JFA U-18 Football Premier League EAST and the Prince Takamado JFA U-18 Football Premier League Championship in 2013. Individually, he was recognized as the top scorer and an outstanding player at the 2013 Inter-High School Football Competition.
Following high school, he attended Ryutsu Keizai University (流通経済大学サッカー部Ryūtsū Keizai Daigaku Sakkā-buJapanese) from 2014 to 2017. In his fourth year, Tachibana played a crucial role in his university team's victory at the 66th All Japan University Football Championship (インカレInkareJapanese) in 2017, where he scored key goals in both the semi-final and the final matches, contributing significantly to the championship title.
3. Professional Club Career
Tachibana's professional career officially began in 2018, leading him through several clubs in Japan and overseas, marked by periods of promising performance, injury, and transfers.
3.1. Yokohama FC
Ayumu Tachibana joined Yokohama FC in 2018 following his successful university career. He made his professional debut on March 25, 2018, coming on as a substitute in a J2 League match against Mito HollyHock. During his tenure at Yokohama FC, he made 4 league appearances and scored 1 goal in the Emperor's Cup during the 2018 season. In August 2019, he was briefly loaned to Brazilian club Tombense FC, but his loan was terminated shortly thereafter, on August 16, 2019, due to a right knee lateral meniscus injury, leading to his return to Yokohama FC. On December 10, 2019, Yokohama FC announced that his contract would not be renewed, and he departed the club.
3.2. Overseas Stints and Return to Japan
After leaving Yokohama FC, Tachibana pursued opportunities abroad and subsequently returned to play in Japan.
On March 18, 2020, he moved to Australia to join Preston Lions FC, a club in the National Premier Leagues Victoria 3, which is equivalent to the fourth tier of Australian football. During his time with Preston Lions, he notably scored four goals in a single FFA Cup match against Heidelberg Eagles SC. His stint in Australia concluded by July 2020.
Tachibana then returned to Japan, signing with SC Sagamihara on July 27, 2020, to play in the J3 League. He made 6 appearances for the club before his contract expired on December 23, 2020. In 2021, Ayumu Tachibana continued his career in South Korea, joining Gimpo FC in the K3 League. He made 4 appearances for Gimpo FC during his time there.
4. Career Statistics
The following table details Ayumu Tachibana's professional club appearances and goals.
| Club performance | League | Cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | - | Total | ||||||
| 2015 | Ryutsu Keizai University D | JFL | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 |
| 2015 | Ryutsu Keizai University | - | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2016 | Ryutsu Keizai University D | JFL | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Yokohama FC | J2 League | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| 2019 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Brazil | League | - | - | Total | ||||||
| 2019 | Tombense FC | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Japan | League | - | - | Total | ||||||
| 2020 | SC Sagamihara | J3 League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| South Korea | League | - | - | Total | ||||||
| 2021 | Gimpo FC | K3 League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Career total | 27 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 4 | ||
5. Honours
Ayumu Tachibana has achieved several titles and individual accolades throughout his high school, university, and early professional career.
5.1. Club Honours
- Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School
- Prince Takamado JFA U-18 Football Premier League EAST: 2013
- Prince Takamado JFA U-18 Football Premier League Championship: 2013
- Ryutsu Keizai University
- All Japan University Football Championship: 2017
5.2. Individual Honours
- Inter-High School Football Competition
- Top Scorer: 2013
- Outstanding Player: 2013
6. Playing Style and Position
Ayumu Tachibana primarily plays as a forward. He is known for his offensive contributions, often playing in a central attacking role. He is right-footed, which influences his striking and passing abilities on the field.