1. Overview
Christopher Tatsuki Kinjo (金城 クリストファー 達樹Kinjō Kurisutofā TatsukiJapanese, born November 17, 1993) is a former Japanese professional footballer who played as a Midfielder. He stands 71 in (180 cm) tall and weighs 168 lb (76 kg), primarily using his right foot. Born in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, to an American father and Japanese mother, Kinjo is bilingual in Japanese and English. His early career saw him join the first batch of the JFA Academy Fukushima before moving to Germany to play for Fortuna Düsseldorf's U-19 team, where he suffered a significant knee injury. He later returned to Japan to play for Avispa Fukuoka, FC Ryukyu, and Iwaki FC before officially announcing his retirement from professional football in July 2016 due to ongoing physical challenges. He is the older brother of fellow footballers Justin Toshiki Kinjo and Andre Taiki Kinjo.
2. Early life and youth career
Christopher Tatsuki Kinjo's early life and development as a football player were shaped by his multinational background and significant experiences in both Japanese and European youth academies.
2.1. Family background and early life
Kinjo was born on November 17, 1993, in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan. He comes from a multinational family, with an American father and a Japanese mother. This background allowed him to become bilingual, proficient in both Japanese and English from an early age. His formative years included attending Okinawa Municipal Yamauchi Elementary School before embarking on his football journey.
2.2. Youth academy and overseas experience
In 2006, Kinjo was selected as one of the first-generation students to enter the JFA Academy Fukushima, a prestigious football academy in Japan. His time there spanned from junior high school to high school, attending Hirono Town Hirono Junior High School and later Fukushima Prefectural Tomioka High School.
In March 2011, due to the devastating 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Kinjo temporarily returned to Okinawa. Following this, in July 2011, he moved to Germany to further his football development, joining the U-19 team of Fortuna Düsseldorf. During his period in Germany, he lived with a host family and attended a local high school while continuing his training. He participated in the Under 19 Bundesliga, making four appearances for Fortuna Düsseldorf U-19.
However, his time in Germany was cut short when he sustained a serious injury in May 2012, rupturing his right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This injury led to his departure from Fortuna Düsseldorf and his return to Japan. After undergoing surgery, Kinjo dedicated a year to rehabilitation and training to recover from the injury before resuming his professional career.
3. Professional club career
Christopher Tatsuki Kinjo's professional career saw him play for several clubs in Japan, navigating through different leagues following his recovery from a significant knee injury.
3.1. Avispa Fukuoka
After his return from Germany and a period of rehabilitation, Kinjo joined Avispa Fukuoka, a J2 League club, in May 2013 as a trainee. His strong performance during this period led to his official signing with the club in June 2013. He played for Avispa Fukuoka for two seasons, in 2013 and 2014, making two league appearances in 2013 and zero in 2014. At the end of the 2014 season, his contract with Avispa Fukuoka expired, and he subsequently left the club. His debut in the J.League occurred on August 18, 2013, during the 29th match of the J2 League season against V-Varen Nagasaki at Level-5 Stadium in Hakata no Mori Athletic Stadium.
3.2. FC Ryukyu
In 2015, Kinjo made a complete transfer to FC Ryukyu, a club based in his home prefecture of Okinawa, which competed in the J3 League. Despite the move to a local club, he did not make any league appearances for FC Ryukyu during his time there.
3.3. Iwaki FC and retirement
In March 2016, Kinjo moved to Iwaki FC, a club participating in the Fukushima Prefectural Soccer League Division 2. He made two appearances for Iwaki FC during his short tenure with the club. However, in July 2016, Christopher Tatsuki Kinjo officially announced his departure from Iwaki FC and his retirement from professional football. The decision was primarily influenced by the lingering effects of his past injuries and the physical toll of his football career.
4. Career statistics
Christopher Tatsuki Kinjo's career statistics reflect his appearances in official league and cup competitions during his professional playing career in Japan.
| Year | Club | League | Appearances | Goals | League Cup | Appearances | Goals | Emperor's Cup | Appearances | Goals | Total Appearances | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Avispa Fukuoka | J2 League | 2 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |||
| 2014 | 0 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||||
| 2015 | FC Ryukyu | J3 League | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| 2016 | Iwaki FC | Fukushima Prefectural Soccer League Division 2 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||||
| J2 League Total | 2 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||||
| J3 League Total | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Fukushima Prefectural League Total | 2 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||||||
| Career Total | 4 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||
5. Personal life
Christopher Tatsuki Kinjo has two younger brothers who are also professional footballers: Justin Toshiki Kinjo and Andre Taiki Kinjo. As of recent information, Justin Toshiki Kinjo plays for SC Sagamihara, while Andre Taiki Kinjo is with Nankatsu SC. The Kinjo brothers share a common path in professional football, following in Christopher's footsteps.