1. Early Life and Background
David Soria Yoshinari's early life was shaped by his Peruvian heritage and Japanese ancestry, which profoundly influenced his identity and nicknames throughout his career.
1.1. Birth and Childhood
David Soria Yoshinari was born on September 18, 1977, in Lima, Peru. He hails from a Nikkei background, referring to individuals of Japanese descent born outside of Japan. His family was also involved in football, as his older brother, Javier Soria, was also a professional footballer who represented the Peru national football team.
1.2. Education
Soria's education included a period of study abroad in Japan. He attended Teikyo High School in Japan, where he also developed his early football skills. This experience laid the foundation for his professional career, which began shortly after his graduation.
2. Club Career
David Soria Yoshinari's club career spanned over a decade, taking him through both Japanese and Peruvian football leagues. He played for multiple teams, primarily distinguishing himself as a midfielder.
2.1. Early Career in Japan and Peru
Following his graduation from Teikyo High School, Soria began his professional career in Japan in 1996, joining Consadole Sapporo, a club then competing in the JFL. During his time at Sapporo, he was a teammate of Kota Yoshihara. However, due to a high number of talented foreign players at Consadole Sapporo, Soria, being a young player and subject to foreign player quotas, often found himself excluded from the squad. This led to his return to Peru at the end of the 1997 season.
q=Sapporo, Japan|position=left
Upon returning to Peru, Soria joined Sporting Cristal in September 1996, where he played until January 1997, before a brief return to Consadole Sapporo in 1997. After his second stint in Japan, he permanently moved back to Peru, playing for Deportivo AEL from 1998 to 1999. In 2000, he rejoined Sporting Cristal and became a key player for the team, establishing himself as a prominent midfielder in the Peruvian league.
q=Lima, Peru|position=right
2.2. Professional Career and Statistics
Soria played for numerous clubs in Peru, including multiple stints with Sporting Cristal. His professional career statistics are detailed below:
| Season | Club | League | Appearances | Goals | League Cup | Appearances | Goals | Emperor's Cup | Appearances | Goals | Total | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Consadole Sapporo | JFL | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | |||
| 1997 | Consadole Sapporo | JFL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||
| Total Japan | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | |||||
| Season | Club | League | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Sporting Cristal | Peruvian Primera División | - | - |
| 1998 | Deportivo AEL | Peruvian Primera División | - | - |
| 1999 | Deportivo AEL | Peruvian Primera División | - | - |
| 2000 | Sporting Cristal | Peruvian Primera División | 34 | 6 |
| 2001 | Sporting Cristal | Peruvian Primera División | 35 | 6 |
| 2002 | Sporting Cristal | Peruvian Primera División | 31 | 2 |
| 2003 | Sporting Cristal | Peruvian Primera División | 20 | 5 |
| 2004 | Coronel Bolognesi | Peruvian Primera División | 39 | 8 |
| 2005 | Sporting Cristal | Peruvian Primera División | 35 | 4 |
| 2006 | Sporting Cristal | Peruvian Primera División | 36 | 1 |
| 2007 | Sporting Cristal | Peruvian Primera División | 19 | 0 |
| 2008 | CD Universidad César Vallejo | Peruvian Primera División | 39 | 5 |
| 2009 | CD Universidad César Vallejo | Peruvian Primera División | - | - |
| 2010 | Total Chalaco | Peruvian Primera División | 14 | 2 |
| 2011 | Sport Ancash | Peruvian Primera División | - | - |
| 2012 | Deportivo Coopsol | Peruvian Segunda División | - | - |
| 2013 | Walter Ormeño | Peruvian Segunda División | - | - |
| 2016 | Walter Ormeño | Peruvian Segunda División | - | - |
| Total Peru (known seasons) | 302 | 39 | ||
3. International Career
David Soria Yoshinari represented Peru at various levels of international football, including the youth and senior national teams.
3.1. Youth National Teams
Soria was part of the U-23 Peru national team from 1999 to 2000, gaining experience in age-group international competitions.
3.2. Senior National Team
Soria made his debut for the Peru national football team in 2000. He earned a total of five caps for the senior national team, though he did not score any goals during his international appearances.
| Year | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 5 | 0 |
| Total | 5 | 0 |
4. Playing Style and Characteristics
David Soria Yoshinari primarily played as a midfielder. He was known for his physical attributes, standing at 67 in (170 cm) and weighing 148 lb (67 kg). His Nikkei heritage led to him being given two distinct nicknames by fans and media: 'El Chino' (The Chinese) and 'El Samurai'. These nicknames reflected both his East Asian roots and his tenacious, fighting spirit on the field, reminiscent of a samurai.
5. Honors
During his professional playing career, David Soria Yoshinari achieved significant team honors, particularly with Sporting Cristal.
- Peruvian Liga 1: 2002, 2005 (with Sporting Cristal)
6. Retirement and Later Life
David Soria Yoshinari eventually retired from professional football. Specific details regarding his post-retirement activities or current occupation are not widely known.