Daichi Kamada

2.1. Youth Club Career

Born on August 5, 1996, in Ehime Prefecture, Japan, Kamada began playing football at the age of three. His father, Fukushige, a former footballer and an instructor at Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences, meticulously guided his early development. Kamada's training regimen was rigorous; he practiced seven days a week at `キッズFC<sub>Kids FC</sub><sup>Japanese</sup>` (now `FCゼブラキッズ<sub>FC Zebra Kids</sub><sup>Japanese</sup>`) in Matsuyama. By elementary school, he could perform over 1,000 kick-ups and more than 100 headers daily. Despite being physically smaller than older players, he consistently played in all age categories from second to sixth grade, often dribbling past five or six opponents two years his senior. Kids FC's philosophy emphasized possession-based football and maximizing ball touches, which instilled in Kamada a strong technical foundation and a unique understanding of the game. His coach, Iio, recalled Kamada as one of the few players whose emotional response to a loss truly reflected his immense effort. In his fifth year of elementary school, he was selected for the U-12 National Training Center Shikoku team. As captain in sixth grade, he led Kids FC to win the Ehime Prefectural Youth Soccer Championship U-12.

In junior high school, Kamada joined the Gamba Osaka junior youth team, based near his grandparents' home in Kishiwada, Osaka. Here, he faced intense competition for the attacking midfield position, notably from players like Yosuke Ideguchi. During these three years, Kamada experienced a significant growth spurt, increasing from approximately 59 in ^{(150 cm)} to 69 in ^{(175 cm)}. This rapid growth led to a period of physical awkwardness or "clumsiness," where his muscles struggled to adapt, impacting his performance. He also sustained injuries, including an arm bone fracture in his first year and a lower back fracture just before the national tournament in his third year. These challenges, combined with perceived weaknesses in his defensive work rate, resulted in limited playing time, and he was ultimately not promoted to Gamba Osaka's youth team. Despite these setbacks, in 2009, during his first year of junior high, Kamada was selected for the JOMO Cup U-13 J League selection team, where he played against South Korea and was reunited with his former Kids FC teammate, Ryota Yamamoto, who had been selected from Ehime FC junior youth.

2.2. High School Football Career

After leaving Gamba Osaka, Kamada opted to attend Higashiyama High School in Kyoto in 2012, choosing it over other J.League youth team offers. His decision was influenced by his aspiration to compete in the All Japan High School Soccer Championship and a desire to cultivate a stronger work ethic, partly due to his father's connection with Higashiyama coach Ryoichi Fukushige. In his first year, Higashiyama reached the Kyoto Prefectural Tournament final of the 91st All Japan High School Soccer Championship but narrowly lost 2 3 to Kyoto Tachibana High School, which boasted future professional players like Keiya Sento and Tomoya Koyamatsu.

In his second year, Kamada made a remarkable impact in the 2013 Prince League Kansai 1st Division, recording an impressive 22 goals and 18 assists in 18 appearances, which earned him both the top scorer and assist king titles and propelled his team to a third-place finish. Higashiyama then participated in the Premier League promotion tournament. Playing without any third-year students (who had already retired), Kamada scored two goals and provided an assist against Obihiro Kita High School in the first round. He followed this with the decisive winning goal against Fujieda Higashi High School, securing Higashiyama's promotion to the Premier League WEST. These standout performances began to attract attention from J.League clubs, with a transfer to Shimizu S-Pulse appearing probable after he impressed coach Afshin Ghotbi during a trial.

In his third year, Kamada was appointed team captain. Despite the team finishing at the bottom of the 2014 Premier League WEST with just 2 wins and 13 losses out of 18 matches and a total of only 19 goals scored, Kamada maintained his individual excellence. He recorded 10 goals, placing him as the fourth top scorer, despite facing intense man-marking due to his reputation. Although he received enthusiastic offers from several top universities, Kamada firmly decided to pursue a professional career directly from high school. He believed that becoming a professional at 22 after graduating from university would be "too late" for his ambition to play globally. He aspired to join a J.League club as a first-year high school graduate. His impressive high school performances garnered interest from at least five J.League clubs. On November 17, 2014, his transfer to Sagan Tosu for the 2015 season was officially announced, and he was assigned the number 24 shirt.

3.1. Sagan Tosu

At the start of the 2015 season, Kamada was briefly loaned to J.League U-22, where he made two appearances. He made his official debut for Sagan Tosu on April 8, 2015, coming on as a 75 th-minute substitute in a 1 0 loss against Albirex Niigata in the J.League Cup. A month later, on May 10, Kamada scored his first J.League goal on his debut, entering as a 72 nd-minute substitute to secure a 1 1 draw against Matsumoto Yamaga FC. Following this, he assisted Yohei Toyoda for the winning goal in a 1 0 victory over Nagoya Grampus. His initial five appearances earned him a nomination for the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup "New Hero Awards." On July 11, he provided two assists in a 3 2 win against Kashiwa Reysol. Eleven days later, on July 22, 2015, Kamada scored his second goal of the season in a 1 1 draw against Gamba Osaka. Initially starting on the substitute bench, Kamada quickly established himself as a first-team regular in the midfield. Despite suffering an injury later in the 2015 season, he concluded the year with 28 appearances and 3 goals across all competitions.

Ahead of the 2016 season, Kamada signed a new contract with Sagan Tosu. He started in midfield for the team's first seven matches. He contributed two assists in early April matches against Kashiwa Reysol and Vegalta Sendai, again earning recognition in the "New Hero Awards" for the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup. However, on April 20, during a match against Yokohama F. Marinos, he suffered an elbow injury, which sidelined him for two weeks. He returned to the starting lineup on May 13 in a 0 0 draw against FC Tokyo. On June 18, Kamada scored his first two goals of the season in a 2 1 victory against Gamba Osaka, earning him the Man of the Match award. He regained his first-team place and maintained it for the remainder of the season. He scored five more goals later in the season, including a brace in a 3 2 win against Kashiwa Reysol on October 22. His goal against Kashiwa Reysol was named the J.League Goal of the Month for October. By the end of the season, he had made 34 appearances and scored 8 goals in all competitions.

For the 2017 season, Kamada switched his shirt number from 24 to 7 and extended his contract with Sagan Tosu. He continued to secure his first-team position in midfield. In April, he scored three goals, including a brace in a 4 4 J.League Cup draw against Cerezo Osaka on April 26. He added two more goals in May, with a goal against Yokohama F. Marinos on May 7 originating from a sharp press and a winning goal against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo on May 27, which he dedicated to his recent marriage. His final appearance for Sagan Tosu was on June 25 against Urawa Red Diamonds, where he assisted the club's first goal in a 2 1 victory. In his final season, he made 16 appearances, scoring 3 goals. During his last year with Sagan Tosu, Kamada recorded an average distance covered of 8.0 mile ^{(12.8 km)} per game, the highest among all J.League players that season, underscoring his exceptional work rate. Overall, he made 80 appearances and scored 16 goals in all competitions for Sagan Tosu.

3.2. Eintracht Frankfurt (Initial Stint)

In June 2017, Kamada transferred to Bundesliga club Eintracht Frankfurt, signing a four-year contract running until 2021. The transfer fee was reported to be 2.50 M EUR. Kamada made his Eintracht Frankfurt debut on August 12, starting and playing 73 minutes in a 3 0 win against TuS Erndtebrück in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. A week later, on August 20, he made his league debut for the club against SC Freiburg, playing 67 minutes in a 0 0 draw. However, Kamada found first-team opportunities limited due to intense competition for places and his own injury concerns. Manager Niko Kovač acknowledged Kamada's "extraordinarily good ball technique" and his ability to operate effectively in "gaps" but noted that he was "pushed away from time to time" and needed time to adapt. By the end of the 2017-18 season, he had made only 4 appearances across all competitions.

3.3. Sint-Truiden (loan)

To secure more consistent first-team football, Kamada was loaned to Belgian side Sint-Truiden for the remainder of the 2018-19 season on August 31, 2018. Despite the late transfer, Kamada made an immediate impact, scoring on his debut on September 16, 2018, in a 2 1 win against Gent with a brilliant dribble past two defenders. He followed this up by scoring again in a 2 0 win against Royal Antwerp on September 22. Kamada quickly established himself as a vital player for Sint-Truiden, featuring in both midfield and striker positions.

He then scored in three consecutive matches between October 6 and October 27, 2018, against Royal Excel Mouscron, K.V. Kortrijk, and Club Brugge. Kamada continued his prolific scoring run with four goals in three matches between November 4 and November 25, 2018, which included a brace against Eupen on November 10 and goals against Zulte Waregem and RSC Anderlecht. He scored two more goals in early December matches against Standard Liège and KFC Mandel United. By the end of 2018, Kamada had scored 11 goals in 17 appearances across all competitions.

On February 3, 2019, Kamada scored again in a 4 1 win against Eupen. A month later, on March 10, he netted his 12th goal of the season in a 1 1 draw against Royal Excel Mouscron. In the Group A league play-offs, Kamada scored three more goals, including a brace in a 2 2 draw against Westerlo on April 6. His 15th goal of the season against Eupen on April 20 set a new record for the most goals by a Japanese player in a major European league season. He finished the 2018-19 Belgian First Division A season as the fifth-highest scorer in the Jupiler Pro League. By the end of his loan spell, Kamada had made 36 appearances and scored 16 goals across all competitions, also contributing 9 assists.

3.4. Return to Eintracht Frankfurt

3.4.2. 2020-21 Season

Three days before the start of the 2020-21 season, Kamada signed a contract extension with Eintracht Frankfurt, keeping him at the club until 2023, a decision influenced by manager Hütter. A week later, on September 25, 2020, he played a key role in a 3 1 win against Hertha BSC, providing two assists. In the following match against Hoffenheim on October 3, Kamada scored his first goal of the season in a 2 1 win, also contributing to the winning goal. He continued to be a first-team regular, primarily in the attacking midfield position. On October 31, he assisted André Silva's goal against Werder Bremen. On November 28, in a 3 3 draw against Union Berlin, he recorded another two assists, including a low cross across the pitch for Silva and a quick cross for Bas Dost. In the subsequent match on December 5, Kamada scored the opening goal with a precise shot against Borussia Dortmund in a 1 1 draw. Despite starting every match until then, he was benched for the last two games of the year, with Hütter suggesting he needed to improve his performance. In the second half of the season, Kamada's role alternated between starting and substitute appearances, often competing with Amin Younes. On February 20, 2021, he delivered a standout performance against Bayern Munich, scoring a goal and assisting Younes's winning goal in a 2 1 victory, which earned him a place in Kicker's Bundesliga Team of the Week. After missing one match due to lumbago, Kamada scored on his return, securing a 1 1 draw against RB Leipzig on March 14. Despite scoring, he was played in the right-midfield position, which Hütter later admitted was a "failed experiment." On April 10, Kamada scored his fifth goal of the season and provided an assist in a 4 3 win against VfL Wolfsburg, again earning Man of the Match honors. Despite failing to qualify for the UEFA Champions League, Eintracht Frankfurt secured a spot in the UEFA Europa League. Kamada concluded the 2020-21 season with 34 appearances and 5 goals in all competitions, along with 12 assists, placing him third in the league for assists.

3.4.4. 2022-23 Season

Kamada began the 2022-23 season in strong form, scoring four goals in the first month, including a brace against 1. FC Magdeburg in the first round of the DFB-Pokal. His performances earned him the continued trust of manager Glasner, who maintained his prominent role in the first team. Kamada scored two more goals in September against VfB Stuttgart and Bayer Leverkusen. Between October 15 and November 1, 2022, he scored a total of six goals across all competitions. This included a remarkable streak in the UEFA Champions League group stage, where he scored in three consecutive matches against Tottenham Hotspur, Marseille, and Sporting CP, playing a crucial role in securing his club's historic progression to the knockout phase. His goal against Sporting CP from the penalty spot, despite being targeted by a laser pointer, secured the advancement. By November 5, Kamada boasted the best goal-scoring rate among Europe's top five leagues at 38.7%, with 12 goals from 31 shots. After missing an early November match due to illness, Kamada returned to the starting lineup against Hoffenheim on November 9, assisting one goal and creating two more scoring opportunities in a 4 2 win. Following the 2022 FIFA World Cup, he consistently featured in the first team, rotating between central midfield and attacking midfield positions. On February 7, 2023, he scored in the DFB-Pokal Round of 16, a 4 2 win against SV Darmstadt 98. Despite a period of criticism from the Frankfurter Rundschau for a dip in form and goal-scoring struggles, Kamada scored his first goal in almost three months on May 3, in the DFB-Pokal semi-final, a 3 2 win against Stuttgart that sent Eintracht Frankfurt to the final. His performance earned him positive reviews from the previously critical newspaper. He then scored two goals in two matches in May against Mainz 05 and Schalke 04. Kamada made his last appearance for the club as a starter in the DFB-Pokal final, a 2 0 loss against RB Leipzig. He concluded the 2022-23 season with 47 appearances and 16 goals across all competitions. This included 9 goals and 7 assists in 32 Bundesliga appearances, 3 goals in 8 Champions League appearances, and 4 goals in the DFB-Pokal. Throughout his tenure at Frankfurt, Kamada became the all-time leading Asian goal scorer in the UEFA Europa League with 11 goals. Overall, he recorded 40 goals and 33 assists in 179 appearances for Eintracht Frankfurt across all competitions.

3.5. Lazio

On August 3, 2023, Serie A club Lazio announced Kamada's arrival in Rome to complete his transfer to the club on a free transfer, after his contract with Eintracht Frankfurt was not renewed. He signed a one-year contract, with an option for additional years, and was assigned the number 6 shirt. He officially joined the club the following day, pending his Italian entry visa.

Kamada made his Lazio debut on August 20, starting and playing 54 minutes in a 2 1 loss against US Lecce. On September 2, he scored his first goal for Lazio and in Serie A, a crucial winning goal in a 2 1 away victory over Napoli. He also recorded his first Serie A assist against Juventus on September 16. However, under manager Maurizio Sarri, Kamada's performance underwhelmed, as Sarri often deployed him in a winger position, which proved ineffective, and he struggled to replicate his goal-scoring form from Eintracht Frankfurt. This led to criticism from the Italian press, and his playing time decreased, often coming from the substitute bench. During the January transfer window, he was linked with Galatasaray, but the move did not materialize due to Lazio CEO Claudio Lotito's demand of 10.00 M EUR and Kamada's own desire to stay at Lazio.

Following Sarri's resignation on March 14, 2024, Kamada's fortunes changed dramatically under new manager Igor Tudor. Tudor, who identified Kamada as an ideal fit for his tactical system, made him a central figure in the team, emphasizing his value by stating, "Kamada is a perfect player, with both running and quality. He fits my football... he has several important qualities that I like." Kamada started in a winning effort against Juventus on March 30 and provided an assist for Luis Alberto's winning goal against Genoa on April 19. On May 19, he scored his second goal for Lazio against Inter Milan at the San Siro, a powerful left-footed strike from outside the box that ended Yann Sommer's clean sheet streak. This goal marked a rare feat, as Kamada became the first player since 1996-97 to score against both the reigning champions and former champions in the same Serie A season. He finished the 2023-24 league season with 2 goals and 2 assists in 28 appearances.

Despite Tudor's strong desire to extend Kamada's contract, negotiations with Lazio's CEO Claudio Lotito failed. Kamada sought a one-year extension, while Lotito insisted on a multi-year deal, leading to a breakdown in talks. Lotito publicly labeled Kamada a "mercenary," but Kamada later confirmed his departure, stating that "money was not the issue." He reflected on his challenging time at Lazio, expressing the pressure he felt trying to replace Sergej Milinković-Savić and the feeling that "normal performance wasn't enough." He made 38 appearances and scored 2 goals in all competitions for Lazio.

3.6. Crystal Palace

On July 1, 2024, Kamada officially joined Premier League club Crystal Palace on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract until 2026. This move marked his reunion with his former Eintracht Frankfurt manager, Oliver Glasner, who had actively sought to bring him to the club, recognizing him as an ideal fit for his tactical system. Kamada became the first Japanese player in Crystal Palace's history and was assigned the number 18 shirt.

He made his Premier League debut as a starter against Brentford in the opening game of the season on August 18, playing 65 minutes in a 2 1 loss. In doing so, Kamada became the 1000th player to debut for Crystal Palace since the club joined the English Football League in 1920. On August 27, 2024, he scored his first goal for Crystal Palace in a 4 0 League Cup second-round win against Norwich City, receiving a through ball and skillfully rounding the goalkeeper before slotting it home. He also assisted Jean-Philippe Mateta's volley goal in the same match. On September 17, he provided the winning assist in a League Cup third-round match against QPR. On October 30, in a League Cup fourth-round match against Aston Villa at Villa Park, Kamada scored the winning goal with a powerful long-range shot through a defender's legs after winning the ball in midfield and dribbling forward. His performance earned him Man of the Match honors from multiple media outlets, bringing his Carabao Cup tally to 2 goals and 2 assists in 3 appearances. He expressed his desire to "make history" with the club.

4.1. Youth National Teams

Kamada was first called up to Japan's U-21 squad in August 2015, making two appearances. In March 2016, he received his first call-up to the Japan U-23 squad. He made his Japan U-23 debut on March 25, 2016, coming on as a 65 th-minute substitute in a 2 1 win against Mexico U-23. In May 2016, he was selected for the 2016 Toulon Tournament. Kamada made his first start for the Japan U-23 side on May 25, playing 64 minutes in a 2 1 win against Guinea U-23. He made four appearances in the tournament, with two as a starter. Despite being in the age bracket for the 2016 Rio Olympics, he was not selected for the final squad, partly due to the coach's preference for more experienced players.

4.2. Senior National Team

7.1. Childhood Efforts and Development

Daichi Kamada's early football development was marked by intense dedication and a unique talent. By the time he entered elementary school, he had already mastered over 1,000 kick-ups and could perform more than 100 headers, a testament to his rigorous training environment at home where his parents would tell him, "practice juggling instead of watching TV." He attended two Kids FC locations in Matsuyama, practicing seven days a week, a routine that laid the foundation for his exceptional technical skills and footballing philosophy. Despite his small stature as a child, he was capable of dribbling past five or six opponents two years his senior. Kids FC's emphasis on possession-based play, starting from the goalkeeper, and maximizing ball touches, profoundly shaped his technical abilities and tactical understanding. His coach at Kids FC, Iio, recalled Kamada as one of the few players whose tears after a match truly reflected the effort he had invested.

When Kamada, as a sixth grader, participated in a training session for the Gamba Osaka junior youth team, scout Ninomiya immediately recognized his talent. Ninomiya felt a surge of "excitement" and "surprise that such a player existed in Shikoku," sensing Kamada's potential to become a professional. Coach Umetsu also promptly recognized his talent, noting Kamada's superior "posture and vision" compared to other players.

Kamada's decision to attend Higashiyama High School was influenced by his father's consultation with Masayuki Mitoma (uncle of Kaoru Mitoma), who recommended Higashiyama coach Ryoichi Fukushige, a former teammate of Kamada's father at Osaka University of Health and Sport Sciences. Fukushige was "deeply surprised" by Kamada's exceptional vision and passing range, calling it a quality he had "never seen before" and that could not be taught. He noted that Kamada's play was "completely different from others," particularly his unique ability to find and move into space. Fukushige confidently stated that Kamada was destined to play for the national team (`日の丸<sub>Hinomaru</sub><sup>Japanese</sup>`). Fukushige also highlighted Kamada's incredible work ethic, remarking that if Kamada saw a teammate training harder, he would strive to surpass them. Kamada's high school routine was exceptionally demanding: he woke at 5 AM to catch the first train from his home in Amagasaki, Hyogo, to Kyoto, engaged in a one-and-a-half-hour morning practice, followed by regular team training, and then individual practice until returning home at 11 PM. He described this period as a "manga-like life," including running uphill with weights on his limbs and dribbling drills around 10 chairs in the school hallway.

The scout for Sagan Tosu, Masato Ushijima, vividly recalled his "excitement" upon first seeing Kamada, remarking that Kamada's play was "beyond imagination" and "overturned all expectations." During a scouting trip to watch Kamada play against Higashiyama High School in the Premier League, Ushijima witnessed Kamada, despite being surrounded by multiple defenders, consistently completing passes and scoring goals. He strongly advocated for his acquisition, stating, "It would be a waste not to sign this player." Sagan Tosu coach Hitoshi Morishita also noted Kamada's unique dedication, stating that Kamada's approach to football was "completely different from other players." Morishita observed Kamada actively engaging in individual dribbling and shooting practice even during the season, concluding that Kamada's focus extended beyond immediate matches, confirming his belief that Kamada possessed the qualities of a world-class player.

7.2. Nickname and Special Moments

After his two-goal performance against Arsenal in the 2019-20 UEFA Europa League, the German newspaper `Bild<sup>German</sup>` famously headlined its front page with "King Kamada." This nickname was subsequently widely adopted by German media and Eintracht Frankfurt supporters, reflecting his regal control on the pitch.

During a penalty kick in a 2022-23 UEFA Champions League match against Sporting CP, Kamada was targeted by a laser pointer on his face but responded with a calm smile. He later explained that he saw the individual responsible in the stands behind the goal and deliberately looked at them and smiled, thinking, "What are you doing, you idiot?" He humorously added that if he had missed the penalty, no one could have blamed him given the distraction.

7.3. Transfer Behind-the-Scenes and Family Bonds

Kamada's career trajectory has seen several dramatic turns, including a near-transfer to Genoa that was reportedly agreed upon. However, on the very day he was scheduled to travel to Genoa, Eintracht Frankfurt coach Adi Hütter and sporting director Fredi Bobic personally intervened to persuade him to stay, with teammate Makoto Hasebe also playing a mediating role. Kamada later revealed in an interview that he had fully expected to join Genoa.

Kamada's profound desire to succeed in football has always been intertwined with his wish to "repay his parents for the trouble he caused by continuing football." He aimed to provide them with a "special kind of filial piety." He even attempted to give his entire signing bonus from Sagan Tosu to his parents, though they ultimately refused. After his first year as a professional, he gifted them a pair of luxury watches along with a heartfelt thank-you letter. He also presented his younger brother, Hiromu, with a car upon his entry into professional football. In his fourth year at Frankfurt, he bought his parents a new 7LDK house, demonstrating his deep family bonds.

In 2023, as his contract with Frankfurt was expiring, Kamada was extensively linked with various top clubs, including Borussia Dortmund, Atlético Madrid, and Benfica. A highly anticipated move to A.C. Milan was reportedly verbally agreed upon, but it sensationally collapsed at the last minute following the unexpected dismissal of Milan's sporting director Paolo Maldini, which led to a fundamental shift in the club's foreign player acquisition policy. This dramatic turn of events ultimately led to his last-minute move to Lazio. Kamada later clarified that his departure from Lazio was not about money, but rather the challenging pressure he felt trying to fill the void left by Sergej Milinković-Savić. In July 2024, Kamada launched his own YouTube channel, `Kamada Daichi ch<sup>English</sup>`.

7.4. Coaches' and Teammates' Evaluations

• Makoto Hasebe, who spent five seasons as Kamada's teammate at Eintracht Frankfurt, remarked that he rarely offered Kamada advice because he believed Kamada "has to carve his own path." Hasebe noted that Kamada "had difficult times but carved his way out with his own strength," emphasizing that players must struggle and endure to truly succeed in professional football.
• Sagan Tosu scout Masato Ushijima described his immediate "excitement" upon seeing Kamada, stating that Kamada's play was "beyond imagination" and that he "overturned all expectations." Ushijima strongly advocated for his acquisition, stating, "It would be a waste not to sign this player."

8.1. Club

• DFB-Pokal: 2017-18
• UEFA Europa League: 2021-22

8.2. Individual

• J.League Goal of the Month: October 2016
• Eintracht Frankfurt All-time XI (by Bundesliga): 2022
• IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the Year: 2022, 2023, 2024
• Japan Pro-Footballers Association Best XI: 2022

9.1. International

:Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Kamada goal.