JapaneseFootballerJ.LeagueForward

Koji Hirose

Koji Hirose is a retired Japanese footballer who played as a forward and attacking midfielder for Sagan Tosu and Tochigi SC from 2006 to 2019.

1. Overview

Koji Hirose (廣瀬 浩二Hirose KojiJapanese, born March 13, 1984) is a retired Japanese footballer. Throughout his professional career, which spanned from 2006 to 2019, he primarily played as a forward and attacking midfielder. He is known for his tenure with Sagan Tosu and Tochigi SC, where he served as captain in his later years.

2. Personal Information and Background

Koji Hirose was born on March 13, 1984, in Joyo City, Kyoto Prefecture, Japan. He holds Japanese nationality. Known by the nickname "Koji," he stands at 65 in (166 cm) tall and weighs 141 lb (64 kg). His primary playing positions were forward (FW) and attacking midfielder (MF), and his dominant foot was his right foot.

3. Youth Career

Hirose's formative years in football began with Furukawa SS. He then attended Joyo City Seiyo Junior High School. For his high school education, he played for Kumiyama High School from 1999 to 2001. Following high school, he continued his football development at Hannan University from 2002 to 2005, before embarking on his professional career.

4. Professional Career

Koji Hirose's professional football career commenced in 2006 and concluded with his retirement at the end of the 2019 season. He spent his entire professional career playing for two clubs in Japan: Sagan Tosu and Tochigi SC. He made his J.League debut on March 4, 2006, in a J2 League match against Consadole Sapporo at Tosu Stadium. His first J.League goal came on May 14, 2006, in a J2 League match against Kashiwa Reysol, also at Tosu Stadium.

5. Affiliated Clubs

Koji Hirose played for two professional clubs during his career, contributing significantly to both.

5.1. Sagan Tosu

Hirose joined Sagan Tosu in 2006, where he played for four seasons until 2009. During his time with the club, he made 123 league appearances and scored 15 goals. He also participated in the Emperor's Cup, scoring 7 goals in 10 appearances. His combined total for Sagan Tosu was 133 appearances with 22 goals.

5.2. Tochigi SC

In 2010, Hirose transferred to Tochigi SC, where he spent the majority of his career, playing for ten seasons until his retirement in 2019. He became a significant figure at the club, eventually being appointed captain for the 2014 season. He humorously referred to himself as "the shortest captain among all clubs." With Tochigi SC, he made 267 league appearances, scoring 39 goals. He also played in the Emperor's Cup, making 9 appearances and scoring 0 goals. His overall record for Tochigi SC stands at 276 appearances with 39 goals.

6. Player Characteristics and Style

Koji Hirose was characterized by his relatively small physique, which he effectively utilized to his advantage. He was known for his speed and sharp dribbling ability. Upon his transfer to Tochigi SC, he was frequently deployed as a "super-sub," coming off the bench to make an impact. Over time, however, he gradually established himself as a regular starter. A notable achievement showcasing his consistency was playing in all J2 League matches during the 2013 season.

7. Statistics

Koji Hirose's professional career spanned from 2006 to 2019, primarily in the J2 League and J3 League.

7.1. Club-specific Statistics

The following table details Koji Hirose's club performance statistics across various competitions.

Club performanceLeagueEmperor's CupTotal
SeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
JapanLeagueEmperor's CupTotal
2006Sagan TosuJ2 League35420374
200733330363
2008245472812
200931310323
2010Tochigi SC33310343
201132110331
20124111104211
201342710437
201440710417
201536310373
2016J3 League305-305
2017132-132
2018J2 League001010
2019002020
J2 League total3474719736654
J3 League total43700437
Career total3905419740961



Other official matches:

  • 2016 J2/J3 Play-offs: 2 appearances, 0 goals.

Career milestones:

  • J.League debut: March 4, 2006, J2 League Matchday 1, Consadole Sapporo vs. Sagan Tosu (at Tosu Stadium)
  • J.League first goal: May 14, 2006, J2 League Matchday 15, Kashiwa Reysol vs. Sagan Tosu (at Tosu Stadium)

8. Retirement

Koji Hirose officially announced his retirement from professional football at the conclusion of the 2019 season, bringing an end to a career that spanned 14 years.