1. Overview
Naoya Ishigami (石神 直哉Ishigami NaoyaJapanese, born March 2, 1985) is a former Japanese professional footballer who played as a defender, primarily as a left-back. Known for his left-footed play and stamina, he had an extensive career spanning over a decade in various Japanese leagues. Ishigami represented several prominent clubs, including Kashima Antlers, Cerezo Osaka, Shonan Bellmare, Oita Trinita, Tokyo Verdy, V-Varen Nagasaki, Giravanz Kitakyushu, FC Maruyasu Okazaki, and FC TIAMO Hirakata. After retiring from playing in 2020, he transitioned into a role as an editor for a football media website.
2. Early Life and Education
Naoya Ishigami's early life and educational background laid the foundation for his professional football career, beginning with youth programs and progressing through high school and university football.
2.1. Birthplace and Childhood
Naoya Ishigami was born on March 2, 1985, in Kamisu, Ibaraki, Japan. His early football development began in his local community.
2.2. Education
Ishigami attended Ibaraki Prefectural Kashima High School from 2000 to 2002, where he was part of the school's football program. He then continued his academic and athletic pursuits at Kanagawa University from 2003 to 2006, playing for the university's football team.
2.3. Youth Career
Ishigami started his youth football journey with Yokose SSS, playing for the club from 1991 to 1996. He then moved on to play for Kamisu Municipal Kamisu Daiichi Junior High School from 1997 to 1999. Following his junior high school years, he joined the football team at Ibaraki Prefectural Kashima High School, and subsequently played for the Kanagawa University football club before turning professional.
3. Professional Career
Naoya Ishigami's professional career spanned from 2007 to 2020, during which he played for numerous clubs across Japan's J.League divisions and regional leagues.
3.1. Early Career (Kashima Antlers, Cerezo Osaka)
Ishigami began his professional career in 2007, joining his hometown club, Kashima Antlers, directly from Kanagawa University. In his debut season, he made 10 appearances in the J1 League as a reserve side-back. However, his playing opportunities diminished in his second year with the club. In 2009, seeking more playing time, he was loaned to J2 League club Cerezo Osaka. At Cerezo Osaka, he quickly established himself as a regular left wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation, a role he secured partly due to injuries to other players. He showcased remarkable stamina and played the full 90 minutes in 50 matches, missing only one due to accumulated yellow cards, and scored 5 goals. His significant contributions were instrumental in Cerezo Osaka's promotion to the J1 League. In 2010, following the expiration of his three-year contract with Kashima Antlers, Ishigami made a permanent move to Cerezo Osaka. During this season, he faced increased competition for a starting spot from Hiroyuki Omiya and later from the emerging young talent Yūsuke Maruhashi, which often resulted in him coming on as a substitute.
3.2. Mid-Career Clubs
In 2011, Ishigami transferred to Shonan Bellmare. The following year, 2012, he was loaned to Oita Trinita, where he played a key role in their successful promotion back to the J1 League. In 2013, after his loan spell with Oita Trinita concluded, he was again loaned, this time to Tokyo Verdy. On December 12, 2013, both Tokyo Verdy and Shonan Bellmare announced the expiration of his contracts with their respective clubs. In 2014, Ishigami made a permanent move to V-Varen Nagasaki. Initially, he was often utilized as a substitute, but he eventually became a regular starter towards the end of the season, contributing 2 goals and 7 assists. In 2016, he transferred to Giravanz Kitakyushu.
3.3. Later Career and Retirement
In 2018, Ishigami joined FC Maruyasu Okazaki on a permanent transfer. While playing for the club, he also took on a new role in March 2019, becoming the editor-in-chief of "REIBOLA," a football media website. In 2020, he moved to FC TIAMO Hirakata, a club competing in the Kansai Soccer League Division 1. On November 5, 2020, Naoya Ishigami officially announced his retirement from professional football. In the same year, FC TIAMO Hirakata achieved promotion to the JFL.
4. Career Statistics
This section provides a comprehensive statistical breakdown of Naoya Ishigami's performance across various competitions throughout his professional career, including league, cup, and other tournaments.
| Club | Season | League | Emperor's Cup | J. League Cup | AFC | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Kashima Antlers | 2007 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 13 | 0 | ||
| 2008 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 5 | 0 | ||
| Cerezo Osaka | 2009 | 50 | 5 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 50 | 5 | |||
| 2010 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | - | - | 20 | 1 | |||
| Shonan Bellmare | 2011 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | 27 | 0 | |||
| Oita Trinita | 2012 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 40 | 1 | |
| Tokyo Verdy | 2013 | 32 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | 33 | 1 | |||
| V-Varen Nagasaki | 2014 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 20 | 2 | |||
| 2015 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | - | 12 | 0 | ||||
| Giravanz Kitakyushu | 2016 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 23 | 2 | |||
| 2017 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | 9 | 0 | ||||
| FC Maruyasu Okazaki | 2018 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2019 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||||
| FC TIAMO Hirakata | 2020 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | - | - | 8 | 1 | |||
| Career total | 244 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 263 | 13 | |
4.1. League Statistics
Throughout his career, Naoya Ishigami accumulated significant appearances across various Japanese league divisions:
- J1 League: 28 appearances, 1 goal
- J2 League: 200 appearances, 11 goals
- J3 League: 7 appearances, 0 goals
- JFL: 3 appearances, 0 goals
- Kansai Soccer League Division 1: 6 appearances, 1 goal
4.2. Cup and Other Competitions
Ishigami also participated in several domestic cup competitions and other official matches:
- Emperor's Cup: 10 appearances, 0 goals
- J. League Cup: 7 appearances, 0 goals
- AFC Champions League: 1 appearance, 0 goals
- Other official matches (including J1 Promotion Playoffs): 1 appearance, 0 goals
4.3. Total Career Statistics
In total, Naoya Ishigami made 263 appearances and scored 13 goals across all official competitions during his professional career. His first J.League appearance was on March 11, 2007, in a J1 League match against Gamba Osaka at Kashima Soccer Stadium. He scored his first J.League goal on March 8, 2009, in a J2 League match against Sagan Tosu at Osaka Nagai Stadium.
5. National Team Career
Naoya Ishigami had limited involvement with the national youth teams. He was part of the U-23 Japan national team in 2008.
6. Honors and Awards
Naoya Ishigami received both team honors and individual accolades during his football career.
6.1. Team Honors
With Kashima Antlers, Ishigami was part of the squad that won the J1 League championship twice:
- 2007
- 2008
6.2. Individual Awards
Ishigami received individual recognition during his university career:
- 2006 Kanto University League Division 2 Best Eleven