Masayuki Yamada

1.1. Youth career

Yamada attended Aomori Yamada High School from 2010 to 2012, where he became a crucial part of the defense as a tall center back. In the 2012 National High School Soccer Championship, his team reached the best 16. Yamada was recognized as an "Excellent Player" at both the 2012 National High School Athletic Meet Football Competition and the 2012 National High School Soccer Championship. In 2013, he was selected for the Japan High School Selection team, participating in the NEXT GENERATION MATCH during the FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP 2013. The team also competed in the Düsseldorf International Youth Football Tournament in March 2013, where they secured their first championship title.

In 2013, Yamada enrolled in Hosei University and joined its football club. During his second year, he adapted to playing as a right back from his primary role as a center back, which helped him refine his offensive skills. He was selected for the All Japan University Selection team but had to withdraw due to injury, which subsequently affected his opportunities to rejoin the squad. He was listed as a backup member for the football competition at the 28th Summer Universiade in 2015. In March 2016, Yamada was designated as a Special Designated Player (J.League) for FC Tokyo, allowing him to play in official J.League matches while still a university student. He made his J.League debut on March 20, 2016, in a J3 League match against FC Ryukyu. In June 2016, it was officially announced that he would join FC Tokyo as a professional player starting from the 2017 season.

2.1. FC Tokyo

Yamada officially joined FC Tokyo in 2017 after completing his university studies. Upon joining, he focused on competing for a position as a center back. He was primarily assigned to the U-23 team and made his professional debut in the J3 League on March 12, 2017, in the first match of the season against Kataller Toyama. On July 15, 2017, in a J3 League match against Gainare Tottori, he scored his first league goal, a header from a corner kick, showcasing his strong aerial ability. On July 26, 2017, due to a series of injuries among first-team players, Yamada was selected to start for the senior squad in the J.League Cup Play-off Stage second leg against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, helping the team advance to the quarterfinals. He made his J1 League debut on July 30, 2017, against Albirex Niigata. Later that season, on November 26, 2017, he scored his first J1 League goal in a match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Yamada remained with FC Tokyo until 2021, although his playing time with the main team became limited after 2018.

2.2. Loan Spells

In 2019, Yamada was loaned to FC Machida Zelvia in the J2 League for the first half of the season. However, he found limited playing opportunities there. On July 28, 2019, he was subsequently loaned to another J2 League club, Avispa Fukuoka, for the remainder of the season. At Avispa Fukuoka, he experienced increased playing time as part of a three-back defensive system. On November 24, 2019, in the final league match against Kagoshima United FC, Yamada scored the winning goal from a corner kick in the 72nd minute. This goal was a historic moment, as it marked the 19,000th goal in J2 League history.

For the 2020 season, Yamada was loaned to Zweigen Kanazawa, another J2 League team. His time there was brief, as he appeared in only three league matches. On October 20, 2020, he was again loaned, this time to Omiya Ardija, also in the J2 League. On December 2, 2020, in a J2 League match against Ehime FC, Yamada scored a header from a cross in the 23rd minute. This goal was also a significant milestone, being the 20,000th goal in J2 League history. This achievement made him only the second player in J2 League history, after Jorginho, to score two different milestone goals in the league.

2.3. Omiya Ardija

Following his successful loan spell, Masayuki Yamada made a permanent transfer to Omiya Ardija for the 2021 season. He continued to play for the club through the 2022 season. On November 14, 2022, Omiya Ardija announced that his contract with the club would not be renewed, and he would depart at the end of the season.

2.4. Fujieda MYFC

In 2023, Yamada joined Fujieda MYFC, a J2 League club. During the first half of the season, he was primarily used as a substitute. On June 7, during an Emperor's Cup match against Vegalta Sendai, he sustained a right hamstring strain, which was diagnosed to require two to three weeks for recovery. Despite the initial prognosis, he returned to the field in approximately one month. However, his playing time decreased significantly after August. On November 18, 2023, Fujieda MYFC announced that Yamada's contract would expire at the end of the season.

2.5. Fukushima United FC

In 2024, Masayuki Yamada joined Fukushima United FC, a club in the J3 League. He currently plays as a defender for the team.

3.1. Club Performance

The following table details Masayuki Yamada's club performance, including appearances and goals scored in various competitions.

• FC Tokyo U-23 Appearances (J3 League)**

• Note: The 2016 appearances are as a Special Designated Player.

5.1. Team Honours

• Aomori Yamada High School**

5.2. Individual Honours

• National High School Athletic Meet Football Competition Excellent Player (2012)
• National High School Soccer Championship Excellent Player (2012)