1. Early Life and Youth Career
Hiroki Sugajima's football journey began in his hometown, where he honed his skills from a young age within the structured environment of Japanese youth football.
1.1. Birth and Background
Sugajima was born on May 11, 1995, in Chōfu, Tokyo, Japan. He stands at 69 in (175 cm) tall and weighs 150 lb (68 kg), and is right-footed.
1.2. Youth Club Career
Sugajima was a product of the Tokyo Verdy youth system, consistently serving as a central player throughout his development. His youth career included spells at various levels of the Tokyo Verdy academy:
- Tobitakyu FC (exact years not specified)
- Tokyo Verdy Junior (2005-2007)
- Tokyo Verdy Junior Youth (2008-2010)
- Tokyo Verdy Youth (2011-2013), during which time he attended Hino Junior and Senior High School.
During his time with Tokyo Verdy's youth teams, Sugajima achieved several significant titles:
- As a member of Tokyo Verdy Junior:
- All Japan U-12 Football Championship (2007)
- Vermont Cup (2007)
- Danone Nations Cup in Japan (2007)
- Chibilympic (2007)
- As a member of Tokyo Verdy Youth:
- Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18) Tournament (2011)
- Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football League Premier League EAST (2012)
2. Professional Club Career
Sugajima transitioned from the youth ranks to professional football, spending time with Japanese clubs before moving to Portugal.
2.1. Tokyo Verdy
Sugajima officially joined Tokyo Verdy's top team in 2014. He made his professional debut as a starter on March 2, 2014, in the opening match of the J2 League season against Matsumoto Yamaga FC at Ajinomoto Stadium. After a loan spell, he returned to Tokyo Verdy in 2018. He departed the club on December 18, 2018, following the expiration of his contract.
2.2. JEF United Chiba (loan)
In 2016, Sugajima moved to JEF United Chiba on a loan deal. He spent two seasons with the club, contributing to their efforts in the J2 League until the end of the 2017 season.
2.3. Portimonense SC
In April 2019, Sugajima made a permanent transfer to Portimonense SC, a club competing in the Primeira Liga, Portugal's top football division. He played for Portimonense SC from 2019 to 2020.
3. Club Statistics
The following table details Hiroki Sugajima's professional club statistics, including appearances and goals in league and cup competitions.
| Club performance | League | Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | Total | |||||
| 2013 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 2016 | JEF United Chiba | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2018 | Tokyo Verdy | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| Portugal | League | Taça de Portugal | Total | |||||
| 2019 | Portimonense SC | Primeira Liga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 47 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 50 | 0 | ||
4. National Team Career
Hiroki Sugajima represented Japan at the youth international level, participating in significant tournaments. He was a member of the U-16 Japan national team. With the U-16 squad, he competed in the 2010 AFC U-16 Championship, where Japan secured a third-place finish.
5. Honours and Achievements
Hiroki Sugajima has collected several honors throughout his football career, predominantly during his youth development with Tokyo Verdy.
Club
- Tokyo Verdy Junior
- All Japan U-12 Football Championship: 2007
- Vermont Cup: 2007
- Danone Nations Cup in Japan: 2007
- Chibilympic: 2007
- Tokyo Verdy Youth
- Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18) Tournament: 2011
- Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football League Premier League EAST: 2012
National Team
- Japan U-16
- AFC U-16 Championship: Third Place (2010)