JapaneseFootballerMidfielderJ-League

Keiya Nakami

Keiya Nakami is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for several clubs, winning the J2 League with Matsumoto Yamaga FC before his retirement in 2022.

1. Overview

Keiya Nakami (中美 慶哉Nakami KeiyaJapanese, born September 23, 1991) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. Born in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, he built his career through various Japanese clubs, including Tochigi SC, Sagan Tosu, Zweigen Kanazawa, Matsumoto Yamaga FC, and FC Maruyasu Okazaki. Nakami is noted for his contributions at the youth and university levels, winning the Inter-High School Championship with Maebashi Ikuei High School and being selected as an excellent player in the National High School Football Championship. He concluded his professional playing career in 2021 and officially announced his retirement in 2022.

2. Early life and amateur career

Keiya Nakami's journey in football began in his early years, developing his skills through youth academies and achieving significant success during his high school and university periods before turning professional.

2.1. Childhood and education

Born on September 23, 1991, in Utsunomiya, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, Keiya Nakami spent his formative years and received his education in his home country. He attended Maebashi Ikuei High School from 2007 to 2009. Following his high school graduation, he continued his academic and football endeavors at Ryutsu Keizai University from 2010 to 2013. His physical attributes include a height of 70 in (177 cm) and a weight of 152 lb (69 kg). He is right-footed.

2.2. Youth and university football

Nakami's youth football career included spells at FC Pensare and Tochigi SC Junior Youth from 2004 to 2006. During his time at Maebashi Ikuei High School, he achieved notable success, including winning the Inter-High School Championship in 2009. In the same year, his team reached the semi-finals (Best 4) of the National High School Football Championship, where Nakami was recognized for his talent and selected as one of the tournament's excellent players. He then played for the Ryutsu Keizai University Soccer Club before graduating. His university accomplishments included being selected for the All Japan University Selection (Kanto B) in 2011.

3. Professional club career

Keiya Nakami's professional career spanned several clubs in Japan, from his debut with Tochigi SC to his final stint with FC Maruyasu Okazaki.

3.1. Tochigi SC (2014-2015)

Keiya Nakami joined Tochigi SC in 2014, marking his professional debut and becoming the first player from the club's youth organization to be integrated into the senior team. He made his first professional start on July 12, 2014, in an Emperor's Cup second-round match against Thespakusatsu Gunma. His J.League debut occurred on July 20, 2014, during a J2 League match against JEF United Chiba at Tochigi Green Stadium. He scored his first J.League goal on August 31, 2014, in a J2 League match against Júbilo Iwata at Yamaha Stadium. He played for Tochigi SC for two seasons, gaining significant experience in the J2 League.

3.2. Sagan Tosu and loan to Zweigen Kanazawa (2016-2017)

In 2016, Nakami made a permanent transfer to Sagan Tosu, a club in the top-tier J1 League. However, he did not make any league appearances for Sagan Tosu. In June 2016, he was loaned to Zweigen Kanazawa in the J2 League. He remained with Zweigen Kanazawa for the remainder of the 2016 season and throughout 2017, where he regularly featured in their J2 League campaigns. His contributions during the 2016 season also included two appearances and two goals in the J2-J3 Relegation Playoffs.

3.3. Matsumoto Yamaga FC (2018-2020)

Nakami transferred permanently to Matsumoto Yamaga FC in 2018. During his tenure with Matsumoto Yamaga FC, he contributed to their J2 League title victory in 2018, which earned the team promotion to the J1 League. He played for the club for three seasons, including one season in the J1 League in 2019. His contract with Matsumoto Yamaga FC concluded, and his departure from the club was announced on December 11, 2020.

3.4. FC Maruyasu Okazaki (2021)

In February 2021, Keiya Nakami moved to FC Maruyasu Okazaki, a team competing in the Japan Football League (JFL), which is the fourth tier of the Japanese football league system. He played one season with FC Maruyasu Okazaki, making 19 league appearances and scoring one goal. His departure from the club was announced on December 27, 2021. This marked his final stint with a professional club.

4. Career statistics

Club performanceLeagueCupLeague CupOtherTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupJ. League CupOtherTotal
2014Tochigi SCJ2 League15100--151
2015411010--4210
2016Sagan TosuJ1 League000000-00
Zweigen KanazawaJ2 League21200-22234
2017Zweigen KanazawaJ2 League401210-004112
2018Matsumoto Yamaga FCJ2 League2200020-240
2019J1 League1802010-210
2020J2 League22110--231
2021FC Maruyasu OkazakiJFL191---191
Career total1982750302220829

5. Honors

Keiya Nakami earned several titles and recognitions throughout his amateur and professional football career.

  • Maebashi Ikuei High School**
    • Inter-High School Championship: 2009
  • Matsumoto Yamaga FC**
    • J2 League: 2018
    • Individual and National/Selected Team History**
  • National High School Football Championship Excellent Player Selection: 2009

    • 6. Retirement

    Keiya Nakami announced his retirement from professional football on February 6, 2022. This decision followed his departure from FC Maruyasu Okazaki in December 2021, marking the end of his active playing career after several years across different tiers of Japanese football.