1. Early Life and Youth Career
Keiya Sento developed his football skills from a young age, showcasing early promise that led him through various youth and academic football programs before turning professional.
1.1. Youth Club Career
Sento's youth career began with FC Jocale and included a stint with Gamba Osaka Kadoma Junior, a prominent academy, during his time at Hirakata Municipal Ogura Elementary School. He later joined FC Greenwave U-15 while attending Hirakata Municipal Nagisa Nishi Junior High School, where he was noted for his physical prowess and exceptional talent, earning him the moniker 'Green Flash of Hirakata'.
From 2010 to 2013, Sento attended Kyoto Tachibana High School. In his third year, he participated in the 91st National High School Soccer Championship, where his team achieved a runner-up finish. During this tournament, Sento demonstrated his scoring ability by netting five goals, earning him the top scorer award alongside his junior teammate, Tomoya Koyamatsu. He was also recognized as an excellent player in the tournament.
1.2. University Football Career
After graduating from high school, Sento enrolled at Toyo University in 2013, where he continued his football development with the university's team until 2016. In 2015, during his third year, he was selected for the Best XI in the Kanto University Soccer League Division 2. That same year, Toyo University's team made its inaugural appearance in the Prime Minister's Cup All Japan University Soccer Tournament and reached the quarterfinals, marking a significant achievement for the club. In his final year, 2016, Sento was again named to the Kanto University League Division 2 Best XI, and his team secured promotion from Division 2 to Division 1, concluding his university career on a high note.
2. Professional Club Career
Keiya Sento embarked on his professional career in 2017, navigating through several clubs across Japan's J.League system, making significant contributions at each stop.
2.1. Kyoto Sanga FC (First Stint)
Sento joined J2 League club Kyoto Sanga FC in 2017. He made his professional debut on February 26, 2017, in a J2 League match against Montedio Yamagata at Kyoto Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium. His first professional goal came on March 12, 2017, in a J2 League match against Avispa Fukuoka at Level-5 Stadium. On April 1, he played as a defensive midfielder for the first time in a match against JEF United Chiba, where he scored a crucial goal. Over three seasons with Kyoto Sanga FC, he played 99 league games and scored 16 goals. In May 2019, Sento was recognized for his outstanding performance, scoring three goals and providing two assists in five J2 League matches, earning him the J2 League Monthly MVP award for the month.
2.2. Yokohama F. Marinos
In 2020, Sento made his first move to a J1 League club, joining Yokohama F. Marinos on a permanent transfer. This marked his debut in Japan's top-flight league. However, his opportunities were limited during this period, as he made only three league appearances for the club.
2.3. Return to Kyoto Sanga FC (Loan)
Due to limited playing time at Yokohama F. Marinos, Sento returned to Kyoto Sanga FC on a loan deal in September 2020, for the latter half of the season. During this second stint with his former club, he appeared in 19 J2 League matches and scored 6 goals, contributing significantly to their performance in the remaining part of the season.
2.4. Sagan Tosu
Following his loan spell, Sento transferred to J1 League club Sagan Tosu for the 2021 season. He became a regular starter for the team, making 38 appearances in the J1 League and scoring 3 goals. He also contributed in cup competitions, including the Emperor's Cup and the J.League Cup.
2.5. Nagoya Grampus
In 2022, Sento moved to Nagoya Grampus on a permanent transfer. He continued to be a key player in the J1 League, making 34 league appearances and scoring 2 goals. He also featured prominently in the Emperor's Cup and the J.League Cup competitions for the club.
2.6. Kashiwa Reysol
Sento's journey in the J1 League continued with a transfer to Kashiwa Reysol for the 2023 season. During his time there, he played in 26 league matches, along with appearances in the Emperor's Cup and the J.League Cup.
2.7. FC Machida Zelvia
In 2024, Keiya Sento made a permanent move to FC Machida Zelvia. As of the end of the 2024 season, he has played in 35 league matches for the club, scoring 1 goal, and has also participated in the Emperor's Cup and J.League Cup competitions.
3. Playing Style
Keiya Sento is recognized as a versatile and well-rounded midfielder capable of playing in various central positions, including attacking midfielder and defensive midfielder (referred to as ボランチboranchiJapanese in Japanese football terminology). His key strengths lie in his excellent technical ability and keen tactical understanding of the game. He is known for his ability to dictate play from the midfield, provide crucial passes, and contribute both offensively and defensively, making him a valuable asset for any team.
4. Honors and Achievements
Keiya Sento has accumulated several individual accolades throughout his career, reflecting his consistent performance and impact on the pitch.
4.1. Individual Honors
- 91st National High School Soccer Championship Top Scorer: 2012
- 91st National High School Soccer Championship Excellent Player: 2012
- Kanto University Soccer League Division 2 Best XI: 2015, 2016
- J2 League Monthly MVP: May 2019
4.2. Representative History
- Kyoto National Sports Festival selection: 2010
- Japan High School Selection: 2013
- Kanto University Selection: 2013, 2014
5. Personal Life and Trivia
Keiya Sento is known by the nickname セントゥーSentōJapanese. In a notable public relations collaboration, his surname, "Sentō," which shares its pronunciation with the Japanese word for "public bath" (銭湯, 銭湯sentōJapanese), was utilized by the Kyoto Public Bath Association. Sento participated in promotional campaigns for public baths in Kyoto, with posters featuring him displayed in approximately 120 public bathhouses throughout the prefecture.
6. Career Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J. League Cup | AFC Champions League | Total | |||||||
| Kyoto Sanga | 2017 | J2 League | 24 | 5 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 24 | 5 | ||
| 2018 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 39 | 1 | ||||
| 2019 | 36 | 10 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 36 | 10 | ||||
| Total | 99 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 99 | 16 | ||
| Yokohama F. Marinos | 2020 | J1 League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Kyoto Sanga (loan) | 2020 | J2 League | 19 | 6 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 19 | 6 | ||
| Sagan Tosu | 2021 | J1 League | 38 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 42 | 3 | |
| Nagoya Grampus | 2022 | J1 League | 34 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 | - | 45 | 2 | |
| Kashiwa Reysol | 2023 | J1 League | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | - | 34 | 0 | |
| FC Machida Zelvia | 2024 | J1 League | 35 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 40 | 1 | |
| Career total | 254 | 28 | 12 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 282 | 28 | ||
- J.League first appearance: February 26, 2017, J2 League Matchday 1, vs. Montedio Yamagata (Kyoto Nishikyogoku Athletic Stadium)
- J.League first goal: March 12, 2017, J2 League Matchday 3, vs. Avispa Fukuoka (Level-5 Stadium)