1. Overview
Reiichi Ikegami is a former Japanese football player and current coach. Born on July 12, 1983, in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, he primarily played as a midfielder, particularly in a defensive midfielder role, and also as a side back. Ikegami began his football journey in elementary school, developing through high school and university before making his professional debut. His playing career included stints with FC Tokyo, Thespakusatsu Gunma, FC Kariya, and FC Gifu. A significant achievement during his youth career was winning a gold medal with the Japan national team at the 2005 Summer Universiade. After retiring as a player, Ikegami transitioned into coaching, contributing to youth development at various clubs and leading university football teams, showcasing his dedication to fostering new talent and advancing the sport in Japan.
2. Early life and youth career
Reiichi Ikegami's foundation in football was established early in his life, spanning his childhood, high school years, and university education, culminating in his recognition as a special designated player before his professional career.
2.1. Birth and childhood
Reiichi Ikegami was born on July 12, 1983, in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan. He began playing football in elementary school, specifically in the first grade, joining the Satsuki East FC. He continued his football development through junior high school at Chiba Municipal Satsukioka Junior High School.
2.2. High school and university
Ikegami attended Narashino Municipal Narashino High School, where he served as the team captain. During his time there, the team reached the best eight in the High School General Athletics Meet.
In 2002, Ikegami enrolled at Sendai University. He quickly became a regular player, securing a starting position from his first year. In his third year, he participated in the Denso Cup, an inter-university competition, where he was notably selected as the sole outstanding player from the Hokkaido and Tohoku regions. In 2005, he represented Japan as part of the Universiade national team, winning a gold medal at the 2005 Summer Universiade. His university peers included players like Yoshitaka Ohashi.
In 2005, while still at university, Ikegami was registered as a JFA-J.League Special Designated Player for FC Tokyo. Demonstrating his versatility, he scored two goals in the J.League Satellite League. His promising performances led to the announcement in September 2005 that he would officially join FC Tokyo starting in 2006.
3. Professional playing career
Ikegami's professional career as a footballer saw him play for several clubs across Japan's league system, specializing primarily as a defensive midfielder, and also representing his country at a major international university event.
3.1. Club career
Ikegami officially began his professional career with FC Tokyo in 2006. He made his official debut in the Emperor's Cup 4th round match against Cento Cuore HARIMA (Bandionce Kobe) on November 5, 2006. Despite suffering from groin pain syndrome and a left knee injury, he diligently trained as a defensive midfielder and side back. His Nabisco Cup debut came on March 25, 2007, in a group stage match against Oita Trinita. Towards the end of the 2007 season, on November 18, he made his J1 League debut as a starting defensive midfielder against Gamba Osaka. He received positive evaluations from coach Hiroshi Hara, but Hara left the club at the end of that season. In 2008, Ikegami's playing time decreased, and in August, he was loaned to Thespakusatsu Gunma until January 2009. His contract with FC Tokyo was not renewed after 2008, and his loan agreement with Thespa Kusatsu also ended.
In 2009, Ikegami transferred to FC Kariya, where he played under coach Tetsuro Uki. He had a strong start to the season in the JFL, scoring in consecutive matches against Arte Takasaki and FC Ryukyu Okinawa. However, his season was cut short in June when he sustained a severe fracture to his right tibia and fibula during the JFL 13th match against Gainare Tottori. Due to the slow recovery from this injury, he left FC Kariya in January 2010.
After rehabilitating at his family home, Ikegami participated in training with FC Gifu starting in May 2010, where his former coach Tetsuro Uki was then a coach. He officially signed with FC Gifu on June 2, 2010. Under coach Yasuharu Kurata, Ikegami was praised for his good positioning, accurate coaching, and ability to hold up play, pass, and support. He established himself as a regular defensive midfielder for the club. However, in 2011, a change in coaching staff limited his playing opportunities, and he left FC Gifu at the end of that year.
3.2. National team career
Reiichi Ikegami represented Japan at the Universiade level. He was part of the Universiade Japan national football team that participated in the 23rd Summer Universiade in 2005. Wearing jersey number 6, he played in four matches during the tournament. The team achieved success, winning the gold medal in the competition.
3.3. Career statistics
The following table summarizes Reiichi Ikegami's official match appearances and goal-scoring records throughout his playing career.
| 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 | |||||||||
| 2004 | Sendai University | N/A | - | - | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | |||||
| 2005 | N/A | 17 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2006 | FC Tokyo | J1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |||
| 2007 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | |||||
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | ||||||
| Kusatsu | J2 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
| 2009 | Kariya | JFL | 11 | 3 | - | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | ||||
| 2010 | Gifu | J2 | 16 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||||
| 2011 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||
| J1 League Total | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |||||
| J2 League Total | 16 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 17 | 0 | ||||||
| JFL Total | 11 | 3 | - | 0 | 0 | 11 | 3 | ||||||
| Other Total (University) | 17 | 0 | - | - | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | |||||
| Career Total | 29 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 38 | 4 | |||||
Note: Special Designated Player appearances are not included in the statistics above.
Key milestones in his playing career include:
- November 5, 2006: First official match - Emperor's Cup 4th Round vs Cento Cuore HARIMA at Ajinomoto Stadium.
- March 25, 2007: First League Cup match - 2007 J.League Cup Group Stage Matchday 2 vs Oita Trinita at Ajinomoto Stadium.
- November 18, 2007: First J.League match - 2007 J1 League Matchday 32 vs Gamba Osaka at Ajinomoto Stadium.
- March 15, 2009: First JFL match and first JFL goal - JFL Matchday 1 vs Arte Takasaki at Kariya City General Athletic Park Multipurpose Ground.
4. Coaching career
Following his retirement as a professional player, Reiichi Ikegami embarked on a diverse and impactful coaching career, contributing to various levels of Japanese football.
In 2012, he was appointed as a coach for FC Gifu's U-18 team, marking his official transition into coaching. Concurrently, he also served as a match commentator for FC Gifu games on Gifu Broadcasting (岐阜放送Gifu HōsōJapanese).
From 2013 to 2019, Ikegami returned to FC Tokyo to join its academy coaching staff. During this period, he held multiple roles:
- From 2013 to 2018, he served as a coach in the club's diffusion department, focusing on promoting football at a broader level.
- Concurrently, from 2014 to 2018, he took on an additional role as a coach for the Meiji University Soccer Club.
- In 2019, he became a coach for FC Tokyo's U-18 team, working with the club's elite youth players.
In 2020, Ikegami was appointed manager of the Rikkyo University Soccer Club, a position he held until December 2023. Following his departure from Rikkyo University, he took on the role of manager for the Ritsumeikan University Soccer Club in 2024, continuing his work in university football development.
5. Personal life and anecdotes
Reiichi Ikegami is known by the nicknames ガミGamiJapanese and ガミさんGami-sanJapanese. He has openly expressed his admiration for several prominent football figures. His esteemed players include legendary Japanese forward Kazuyoshi Miura (often known as Kazu), Italian maestro Roberto Baggio, and fellow Japanese midfielder Fumitake Miura. Furthermore, Ikegami identified Dutch midfield powerhouse Edgar Davids as a player he particularly aimed to emulate on the field, highlighting Davids' influential style of play as a model for his own development.
6. Legacy and reception
Reiichi Ikegami's career, both as a player and a coach, has left a notable mark on Japanese football. As a player, he was recognized for his versatility, capable of excelling as a defensive midfielder and a side back. Despite battling injuries, his determination and consistent effort earned him recognition, particularly his performance in the J.League during a challenging period. His leadership qualities were evident early on, serving as captain of his high school team and earning a gold medal with the Universiade national team, showcasing his ability to perform under pressure and contribute to team success.
Transitioning into coaching, Ikegami has demonstrated a commitment to nurturing young talent and contributing to the development of football at various levels, from youth academies to university teams. His roles at FC Gifu U-18, FC Tokyo's academy, and as a manager for Rikkyo and Ritsumeikan Universities underscore his dedication to the sport beyond his playing days. Through his coaching, he continues to impart his experience and knowledge, shaping the next generation of Japanese footballers and contributing to the sustained growth of the sport. His career exemplifies a continuous contribution to Japanese football, first as a dedicated and versatile player, and then as a developmental coach and mentor.