1. Early life and youth career
Koya Yuruki's early life and development as a footballer laid the foundation for his professional career, beginning with his introduction to the sport at a young age and progressing through the structured environment of prestigious youth academies.
1.1. Early life and education
Born on July 3, 1995, Koya Yuruki hails from Seya Ward, Yokohama, in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. He began playing football at the age of four, demonstrating an early passion for the sport. During his elementary school years, he joined the youth organization of Yokohama F. Marinos, a prominent Japanese football club. He continued his progression through the club's youth system, attending Yokohama Municipal Nishi Junior High School while with the Yokohama F. Marinos Junior Youth, and later Kanagawa Prefectural Asahi High School as part of the Yokohama F. Marinos Youth team.
1.2. Youth career
In 2011, Yuruki was promoted to the Yokohama F. Marinos Youth team. During his time in the youth system, he gained recognition as an attacker, particularly known for his play from the left side of the goal, often described as the "Yuruki Zone" for his effective shots from a 45-degree angle. His talent was further highlighted in August 2013, when he was awarded the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award at the Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18) tournament. His exceptional performance was instrumental in leading his team to victory in the championship. From April to December 2013, he was registered as a Type 2 player for Yokohama F. Marinos, allowing him to train and potentially play with the senior team, although he did not make any official appearances during this period.
2. Club career
Koya Yuruki's professional club career has seen him evolve through several Japanese clubs, making his debut in the J.League and consistently contributing to his teams' successes, including major title wins.
2.1. Montedio Yamagata
Koya Yuruki officially joined Montedio Yamagata in 2014, marking his entry into professional football. His debut for the club took place on March 2, 2014, in a J2 League match against Shonan Bellmare at Shonan BMW Stadium Hiratsuka in Hiratsuka, Japan. He came on as a substitute for Hiroki Bandai in the 74th minute, though his team ultimately lost the match 1-0. During his tenure with Montedio Yamagata from 2014 to 2018, he played a total of 92 league matches, scoring 6 goals. His time there was crucial for his early development as a professional player, establishing him as a consistent presence on the field.
2.1.1. J.League U-22 Selection (loan)
Concurrent with his time at Montedio Yamagata, Koya Yuruki was registered to play for the J.League U-22 Selection team on loan from 2014 to 2015. This allowed him to gain additional match experience in the J3 League. He made his first J.League goal on October 25, 2015, in a J3 League match against Fujieda MYFC at Ecopa Stadium. During his loan spell, he played 18 matches in the J3 League, scoring 1 goal.
2.2. Urawa Reds
In 2019, Koya Yuruki made a complete transfer to Urawa Reds. His initial season was challenging, as he found it difficult to secure a regular starting position, appearing in only 8 league matches without scoring. However, his performance improved significantly in the 2020 season when the team adjusted its formation to a 4-4-2, allowing him to establish himself as the regular left midfielder. On October 10, 2020, he scored his first ever J1 League goal, which was also his first for Urawa, in a match against Sagan Tosu during the 21st matchday of the J1 League. He continued to be a vital player for Urawa Reds until 2021, featuring in 69 league games and scoring 5 goals. His contributions were particularly notable in 2021, a season in which Urawa Reds secured the Emperor's Cup.
2.3. Vissel Kobe
On December 28, 2021, it was officially announced that Koya Yuruki would be joining Vissel Kobe on a permanent transfer. Upon his arrival at Vissel Kobe, he initially faced challenges with adaptation and team coordination, which occasionally led to his exclusion from the squad. However, he gradually integrated into the team's system, becoming an increasingly influential player. His first league goal for Vissel Kobe came on May 14, 2022, in a J1 League match against Sagan Tosu, where he netted a goal following a pass from the renowned midfielder Andrés Iniesta. On October 8, 2022, he scored in a J1 League match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, marking a new personal career high for goals in the J1 League. In his inaugural year with Vissel Kobe, he played a total of 43 official matches, recording 8 goals and 9 assists. His outstanding performance and significant contribution to the team throughout the 2022 season were recognized with the "Ryoichi Mikitani Award," a club-established honor for the player who contributes most to the team's success over the season. Yuruki continued to play a pivotal role in Vissel Kobe's successes, contributing to their historic J1 League title in 2023 and their subsequent J1 League title and Emperor's Cup victory in 2024.
3. National team career
Koya Yuruki has represented Japan at various youth international levels, demonstrating his talent and potential from an early stage. He was called up as a candidate for the U-18 Japan national team and later earned a place in the U-19 Japan national team.
4. Playing style
Koya Yuruki primarily operates as a midfielder or a winger, utilizing his right-footed ability. He is known for his offensive contributions and is particularly effective from the left side of the goal, where his shots from a 45-degree angle have been dubbed the "Yuruki Zone" due to their effectiveness. Standing at 72 in (183 cm) and weighing 154 lb (70 kg), he possesses the physical attributes to support his dynamic playing style.
5. 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 | Total | |||||||
| Montedio Yamagata | 2014 | J2 League | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | J1 League | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2016 | J2 League | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 21 | 2 | |||
| 2017 | J2 League | 37 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 39 | 2 | |||
| 2018 | J2 League | 31 | 2 | 4 | 2 | - | - | 35 | 4 | |||
| Total | 92 | 6 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 102 | 8 | ||
| J.League U-22 Selection (loan) | 2014 | J3 League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | J3 League | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | - | 16 | 1 | |||
| Total | 18 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 18 | 1 | ||
| Urawa Reds | 2019 | J1 League | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| 2020 | J1 League | 30 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 31 | 1 | ||
| 2021 | J1 League | 31 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 1 | - | 46 | 5 | ||
| Total | 69 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 95 | 6 | ||
| Vissel Kobe | 2022 | J1 League | 32 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 43 | 8 |
| 2023 | J1 League | 28 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 0 | - | 34 | 5 | ||
| 2024 | J1 League | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | |
| Total | 70 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 90 | 14 | ||
| Career total | 249 | 21 | 24 | 4 | 21 | 1 | 11 | 3 | 305 | 29 | ||
6. Honours
Koya Yuruki has accumulated several significant titles with his clubs and has received individual recognition for his outstanding performances.
6.1. Club honours
Koya Yuruki has achieved the following club honors:
- Yokohama F. Marinos Youth
- Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18): 2013
- Urawa Reds
- Emperor's Cup: 2021
- Vissel Kobe
- J1 League: 2023, 2024
- Emperor's Cup: 2024
6.2. Individual honours
Koya Yuruki's individual accolades include:
- Japan Club Youth Football Championship (U-18) MVP Award: 2013
- Ryoichi Mikitani Award (Vissel Kobe Most Contributing Player): 2022