Hironori Ishikawa

2.1. Childhood and early education

Ishikawa started playing football with Friendly SC at the early age of four or five. During his later years in elementary school, he began playing as a defender, a position that would become central to his career. In his third year of junior high school, he participated in training sessions with FC Tokyo U-18, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Kodai, who was already attending the club.

2.2. High school and university career

In 2003, Ishikawa enrolled in Ryutsu Keizai University Kashiwa High School. His classmates included notable footballers such as Akihiro Hayashi, Seiten Chiaki, and Yu Hasegawa. During his first year at the high school, he was converted to a side-back position. Under the guidance of coach Yuichiro Honda, Ishikawa played a crucial role in leading the school to its first appearance in the 84th National High School Soccer Championship in his third year. Although he initially considered quitting football after high school, he changed his mind after being scouted by Yuji Nakano, the coach of Ryutsu Keizai University Soccer Club.

Ishikawa joined Ryutsu Keizai University in 2006, where his classmates included Tomoya Ugajin, Jun Kanakubo, and Takayuki Funayama, in addition to Hayashi and Chiaki from high school. He quickly made an impact, appearing in the Japan Football League (JFL) from his first year at the university. In 2008, his third year, he was selected for the All-Japan University Selection team. In the same year, he was registered as a designated player for Mito HollyHock in the J.League, making one appearance. In 2009, during his fourth year, Ishikawa played against Gamba Osaka in the Emperor's Cup. His impressive performances garnered significant interest, leading to a contention for his signature among several J.League clubs, including Kawasaki Frontale, Roasso Kumamoto, Mito HollyHock, and Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

4.1. Professional debut and early years

Ishikawa signed with Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2010, joining fellow new recruit Junya Osaki. He primarily served as a substitute for established players like Michael Mićek, gradually accumulating playing time. His first official goal came on 24 November 2012, in a pivotal match that secured Sanfrecce Hiroshima's first J. League Division 1 title. The following year, in early 2013, Ishikawa saw increased playing opportunities as a right outside specialist due to injuries affecting Mićek and Hwang Seok-ho. However, his own subsequent injury led to a reduction in his match appearances.

4.2. Major club stints

In August 2013, seeking more playing time, Ishikawa moved to Vegalta Sendai on a loan from Sanfrecce Hiroshima. He remained with Sendai for the 2014 season, extending his loan period.

The 2015 season saw Ishikawa move on another loan spell to Oita Trinita. However, his time there was limited, as he appeared in only two matches out of seventeen by mid-season, accumulating a mere 22 minutes of play. Consequently, on 10 June 2015, it was announced that he would be loaned to Mito HollyHock. He officially joined Mito on 16 June and was eligible to play from 10 July. This marked his return to Mito HollyHock after seven years, having previously played for them as a designated player in 2008.

In January 2016, Ishikawa transferred to Thespakusatsu Gunma. Later that year, he was loaned to SC Sagamihara, where he played his final matches.

4.3. Retirement and transition to agent

Hironori Ishikawa concluded his playing career at the end of the 2016 season. Following his retirement from professional football, he transitioned into a new role as a football agent, utilizing his extensive experience within the sport.

5.1. Club performance

5.2. Professional appearances and goals

Hironori Ishikawa reached several significant milestones throughout his professional career:

• League debut: 17 August 2008, in the J2 31st round match against Cerezo Osaka at Nagai Stadium. He entered the game as a substitute for Takashi Kuramoto in the 85th minute.
• Professional official debut: 13 April 2010, in the AFC Champions League 2010 Group Stage Matchday 5 against Shandong Luneng Taishan at Shandong Provincial Sports Center Stadium. He was substituted in for Satoshi Yamagishi in the 72nd minute.
• Professional official first goal: 24 November 2012, in the J1 33rd round match against Cerezo Osaka at Hiroshima Big Arch. He started the match, scored a goal in the 50th minute, and was substituted out for Hwang Seok-ho in the 71st minute.

6.1. Club

; Sanfrecce Hiroshima

• J1 League: 2012, 2013
• Japanese Super Cup: 2013