1. Early Life and Background
Junji Sato was born on February 4, 1975, in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. During his youth, he attended Nihon University Yamagata High School, where he played football from 1990 to 1992. In 1993, he joined his local team, the NEC Yamagata Soccer Club, marking the beginning of his senior club career.
2. Playing Career
Sato's professional playing career as a defender began in 1993 with NEC Yamagata Soccer Club, which later became Montedio Yamagata. He remained with the club for his entire career, retiring at the end of the 2001 season.
2.1. Montedio Yamagata
Junji Sato joined NEC Yamagata Soccer Club in 1993. The club later rebranded as Montedio Yamagata. He continued to play for Montedio Yamagata until his retirement in 2001. During his tenure, Sato primarily played as a center back. He was a regular starter for the team until the 2000 season. However, in the 2001 season, his appearances became limited, and he ultimately retired from professional football at the conclusion of that season. He stood at 69 in (175 cm) tall and weighed 148 lb (67 kg).
3. Career Statistics
His career statistics for league and cup competitions are detailed below. Data for the early years of his career in the Tohoku Adult Soccer League and the Japan Football League (Old JFL) are not available.
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Total | ||||||
| 1993 | NEC Yamagata Soccer Club | Tohoku Adult Soccer League | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||
| 1994 | Old JFL | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 1995 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| 1996 | Montedio Yamagata | - | - | - | - | - | - | |||
| 1997 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| 1998 | - | - | - | - | - | - | ||||
| 1999 | J2 League | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 34 | 1 | ||
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Total | 61 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 65 | 1 | ||
4. See also
- List of Montedio Yamagata players