1. Overview
Reiya Morishita (森下 怜哉Morishita ReiyaJapanese, born November 1, 1998) is a Japanese professional footballer who primarily plays as a centre-back. Born in Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, he currently plays for Sagan Tosu in the J1 League. Morishita began his youth career with Cerezo Osaka U-18, making his professional debut in the J3 League with Cerezo Osaka U-23 in 2016, becoming the youngest player to debut in the J3 League at the time. After being promoted to the Cerezo Osaka top team, he spent several seasons on loan to clubs like Tochigi SC, Matsumoto Yamaga FC, and FC Machida Zelvia, gaining significant playing experience. He permanently transferred to Ehime FC in 2022, where he played a pivotal role in their 2023 J3 League championship victory and subsequent promotion to the J2 League, earning a selection to the J3 Best XI. In late 2024, he transferred to Sagan Tosu to join the club for the 2025 season.
2. Youth and Pre-Professional Career
Reiya Morishita was born on November 1, 1998, in Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, Japan. He began his football journey at Kusunoki JSC from 2005 to 2010, before moving to Nagano FC from 2011 to 2013. In 2013, he joined the youth academy of Cerezo Osaka, specifically their U-18 team, where he played until 2016. During his time with Cerezo Osaka U-18, the team achieved notable success, winning the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League WEST in 2014 and subsequently the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football League Championship in the same year.
In 2016, while still with the U-18 team, Morishita was registered as a Type 2 player for the Cerezo Osaka top team, allowing him to participate with the Cerezo Osaka U-23 squad in the professional league. On March 13, 2016, he made his professional debut in the J3 League as a starter against Grulla Morioka (now Iwate Grulla Morioka). At the time of his debut, at 17 years, 4 months, and 12 days old, Morishita set a new record for the youngest player to appear in the J3 League. Following his promising performances, Cerezo Osaka announced on November 8, 2016, that Morishita would be officially promoted to the senior team.
3. Club Career
Reiya Morishita's professional club career began with Cerezo Osaka and has seen him play for various clubs across different Japanese leagues.
3.1. Cerezo Osaka
Morishita officially joined the Cerezo Osaka top team in 2017. Despite being part of the senior squad, he continued to play extensively for the Cerezo Osaka U-23 team in the J3 League. In 2017, he played the full match in the J3 League opening game. On September 23, 2017, during a J3 League match against Fukushima United FC, Morishita scored a crucial goal in additional time, contributing to his team's victory. His consistent performances for the U-23 side helped him grow as a player. On August 8, 2018, he made his first appearance for the Cerezo Osaka top team in the Suruga Bank Championship, a significant moment marking his full senior team debut.
3.2. Loan Spells
To gain more first-team experience, Morishita was sent on a series of loan spells.
He joined Tochigi SC on a youth development loan in 2019, where he played 27 league matches and scored 1 goal. He also made 1 appearance in the J. League Cup.
In 2020, he moved to Matsumoto Yamaga FC on another youth development loan. During this season, he appeared in 15 league matches and scored 1 goal.
For the 2021 season, Morishita was loaned to FC Machida Zelvia. He played 12 league matches and made 1 appearance in the J. League Cup during his time there. These loan periods provided him with valuable playing time and exposure to different team environments within the J2 League.
3.3. Ehime FC
On December 23, 2021, it was announced that Reiya Morishita would make a permanent transfer to Ehime FC. His move to Ehime FC proved to be a turning point in his career. In 2023, he established himself as a key regular, featuring in 30 league matches for the club. His strong defensive performances were instrumental in Ehime FC's success, as they won the J3 League title and secured promotion to the J2 League. For his outstanding contributions during the 2023 season, Morishita was recognized with a selection to the J3 Best XI. He continued to be a crucial player for Ehime FC after their promotion, contributing significantly to the team in the 2024 J2 League season.
3.4. Sagan Tosu
On December 27, 2024, it was announced that Reiya Morishita would be transferring to Sagan Tosu on a permanent basis. He joined the club alongside Ogawa Tasuku, with whom he had formed a central defensive partnership at Ehime FC. Morishita is expected to feature for Sagan Tosu in the upcoming 2025 season.
4. National Team Career
Reiya Morishita has represented Japan at various youth levels, participating in several training camps and international tournaments.
- U-16 Japan National Team
- Thailand Expedition (2014)
- U-17 Japan National Team
- International Youth Soccer in Niigata (2015)
- Sanix Cup International Youth Soccer Tournament (2015)
- 22nd Vaclav Jezek International Youth Tournament (2015)
- U-18 Japan National Team
- 28th Valentin Granatkin International Football Tournament (2015)
- U-19 Japan National Team
- JFA Training Camp (2016)
5. Club Statistics
| Season | Club | League | League Apps | League Goals | Cup Apps | Cup Goals | League Cup Apps | League Cup Goals | Total Apps | Total Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan | ||||||||||
| 2016 | Cerezo Osaka U-23 | J3 League | 21 | 2 | - | - | 21 | 2 | ||
| 2017 | Cerezo Osaka U-23 | J3 League | 32 | 2 | - | - | 32 | 2 | ||
| 2017 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | Cerezo Osaka U-23 | J3 League | 29 | 1 | - | - | 29 | 1 | ||
| 2018 | Cerezo Osaka | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | Tochigi SC (loan) | J2 League | 27 | 1 | - | 1 | 0 | 28 | 1 | |
| 2020 | Matsumoto Yamaga FC (loan) | J2 League | 15 | 1 | - | - | 15 | 1 | ||
| 2021 | FC Machida Zelvia (loan) | J2 League | 12 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | |
| 2022 | Ehime FC | J3 League | 22 | 2 | - | - | 22 | 2 | ||
| 2023 | Ehime FC | J3 League | 30 | 1 | - | - | 30 | 1 | ||
| 2024 | Ehime FC | J2 League | 35 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 35 | 1 |
| 2025 | Sagan Tosu | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total (J1) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| Career total (J2) | 89 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 91 | 3 | ||
| Career total (J3) | 52 | 3 | - | - | 52 | 3 | ||||
| Career total (J3 U-23) | 82 | 5 | - | - | 82 | 5 | ||||
| Career total | 223 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 226 | 11 | ||
6. Honours
Reiya Morishita has achieved several team and individual honours throughout his career.
6.1. Team
- Cerezo Osaka U-18
- Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football Premier League WEST: 2014
- Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football League Championship: 2014
- Ehime FC
- J3 League: 2023
6.2. Individual
- J3 League Best XI: 2023
7. Anecdotes
Reiya Morishita is known for several interesting personal traits and habits. He is said to be strong in verbal arguments. Despite being single and not engaging in much housework, he became actively involved in household chores and childcare after getting married, stating that it increased his family time. Before marriage, he reportedly used to keep his rice cooker on the floor. In a fan voting event organized by Ehime FC for players' private outfits, his vote count was surprisingly low, in contrast to his strong performance during the 2023 season.
8. Affiliated Clubs
- 2005 - 2010: Kusunoki JSC
- 2011 - 2013: Nagano FC
- 2013 - 2016: Cerezo Osaka U-18
- 2016: Cerezo Osaka (Type 2 Registered Player)
- 2017 - 2021: Cerezo Osaka
- 2019: → Tochigi SC (loan)
- 2020: → Matsumoto Yamaga FC (loan)
- 2021: → FC Machida Zelvia (loan)
- 2022 - 2024: Ehime FC
- 2025 - : Sagan Tosu