1. Overview
Masafumi Mizuki (水筑 優文Mizuki MasafumiJapanese, born August 1, 1974) is a former Japanese association football player who primarily played as a defender, specifically a centre-back. Throughout his professional career, he was affiliated with three clubs: Kashima Antlers, Avispa Fukuoka, and Honda Lock. Mizuki spent his initial years at Kashima Antlers, struggling for consistent playing time before moving to Avispa Fukuoka where he saw more opportunities. He concluded his career with Honda Lock in the Japanese Regional Leagues, retiring at the end of the 2002 season.
2. Early life and youth career
Masafumi Mizuki was born on August 1, 1974, in Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. During his youth, he developed his football skills at Miyazaki Kogyo High School, where he played from 1990 to 1992. He measured 69 in (176 cm) in height and weighed 159 lb (72 kg), characteristics typical for a defender.
3. Club career
Masafumi Mizuki's professional football career spanned from 1993 to 2002, during which he played for three distinct clubs, progressing from top-tier professional leagues to regional competition.
3.1. Kashima Antlers
After graduating from high school, Mizuki began his professional journey with Kashima Antlers in 1993, a prominent club in the J1 League. Although he played as a centre-back, he faced significant competition for playing time. For several years, he was behind established defenders such as Yutaka Akita and Ryosuke Okuno, which limited his appearances in official matches. From 1993 until 1997, he made no league appearances. He eventually made his J1 League debut in 1998, appearing in six league matches that season. He remained with Kashima Antlers until the end of the 1998 season.
3.2. Avispa Fukuoka
In 1999, Mizuki transferred to Avispa Fukuoka, another club competing in the J1 League. This move provided him with increased playing opportunities compared to his tenure at Kashima Antlers. During the 1999 season, he played in 14 league matches, scoring two goals. However, his appearances significantly declined in 2000, his second year with the club, where he hardly played any matches. He left Avispa Fukuoka at the conclusion of the 2000 season.
3.3. Honda Lock
Following his departure from Avispa Fukuoka, Mizuki moved to Honda Lock, a club based in his local Miyazaki Prefecture. He joined the team in 2001, where they competed in the Japanese Regional Leagues, specifically the Kyushu Soccer League. He continued to play for Honda Lock through the 2002 season. Official statistics for his appearances and goals during this period are not comprehensively detailed in available records.
4. Retirement
Masafumi Mizuki concluded his professional football career at the end of the 2002 season, following his stint with Honda Lock. His retirement marked the end of a career that saw him play across different tiers of Japanese football.
5. Club statistics
The following table details Masafumi Mizuki's official club appearances and goals throughout his professional career. Statistics for his time at Honda Lock are not fully available in detailed records.
| 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 | Kashima Antlers | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1994 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1995 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1996 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1997 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| 1998 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 8 | 0 | ||
| 1999 | Avispa Fukuoka | J1 League | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 2 |
| 2000 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2001 | Honda Lock | Regional Leagues | ||||||||
| 2002 | ||||||||||
| Total | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 26 | 2 | ||