1. Overview
Daiki Hattori is a Japanese former footballer who played as a defender. Born on October 17, 1987, in Kanagawa Prefecture, he progressed through the youth ranks and played for Toin Gakuen High School and Waseda University before turning professional. His entire club career from 2010 to 2015 was spent with YSCC Yokohama, where he notably signed a professional contract in 2014 and made his J.League debut. Following his retirement from football in 2016, Hattori embarked on a new career with Recruit Career Consulting, focusing on supporting other athletes in their post-playing career transitions, an important social contribution given the challenges many professional footballers face after retirement.
2. Early Life and Youth Career
2.1. Birth and Background
Daiki Hattori was born on October 17, 1987, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He is right-footed and played primarily as a defender. His physical attributes include a height of 72 in (182 cm) and a weight of 170 lb (77 kg).
q=Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan|position=right
2.2. Education and Amateur Football
Hattori's academic journey included attending Toin Gakuen High School from 2003 to 2005. During his formative years in youth football, he played for clubs such as FC Soleil and Yokohama Sakae FC. After graduating from high school, he continued his education at Waseda University from 2006 to 2009, where he was also a member of the Waseda University Association Football Club. His talent was recognized early, as he was selected as an "Excellent Player" in the soccer competition of the 2005 National High School General Athletic Meet. Additionally, he represented Kanagawa Prefecture as an adult selection player in the National Sports Festival.
3. Club Career
Daiki Hattori's professional football career was primarily defined by his tenure with YSCC Yokohama, where he spent his entire playing career after university.
3.1. YSCC Yokohama
Daiki Hattori began his professional club career by joining YSCC Yokohama in 2010. He quickly established himself as a key defender for the club. In 2014, a significant milestone in his career was reached when he signed a professional contract with YSCC Yokohama. He subsequently made his J.League debut on April 6, 2014, in a J3 League match against the J.League U-22 Selection held at NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Football Stadium. Hattori remained an integral part of the YSCC Yokohama squad until the conclusion of the 2015 season, after which he departed from the club.
4. Playing Statistics
The following table provides a comprehensive overview of Daiki Hattori's professional club appearances and goals throughout his career.
| Season | Club | League | League Apps | League Goals | Emperor's Cup Apps | Emperor's Cup Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | YS Yokohama | Kanto League 1 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| 2011 | YS Yokohama | Kanto League 1 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 2012 | YS Yokohama | JFL | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 25 | 3 |
| 2013 | YS Yokohama | JFL | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 |
| 2014 | YS Yokohama | J3 League | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 0 |
| 2015 | YS Yokohama | J3 League | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Career total | 108 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 111 | 5 | ||
5. International and Representative Career
Beyond his club career, Daiki Hattori also achieved recognition at a representative level during his youth. In 2005, he was honored as an "Excellent Player" in the soccer competition during the National High School General Athletic Meet. Furthermore, he was selected to represent Kanagawa Prefecture as an adult player in the National Sports Festival, showcasing his talent on a broader stage within Japan.
6. Retirement and Post-Playing Career
Daiki Hattori officially announced his retirement from professional football on January 21, 2016, following his departure from YSCC Yokohama at the end of the 2015 season. After concluding his playing career, Hattori transitioned into a new and impactful role, joining Recruit Career Consulting. In this capacity, he has dedicated himself to supporting other athletes in their challenging post-playing transitions. This work is particularly vital given the common difficulties faced by professional footballers, especially in leagues like the J.League, where average salaries can be as low as 120.00 K JPY and the average retirement age is around 25 years old. Many former players struggle to secure employment outside of football due to a perceived lack of diverse professional skills or qualifications. Hattori's efforts in this field represent a significant social contribution, helping athletes successfully navigate career changes and find new opportunities, thereby improving their long-term welfare and integration into broader society.
7. External Links
- [https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFIX04/?player_id=11911 Daiki Hattori at J.League Data Site] J.League Data SiteJapanese
- [https://ameblo.jp/hatto-5/ Daiki Hattori's Blog]