1. Overview
Rempei Uchida (内田 錬平Uchida RenpeiJapanese, born April 26, 1991) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender, primarily as a centre-back. Originally a midfielder, he transitioned to defense early in his youth career. He is currently a prominent player for Tochigi City FC, serving as the club captain for the 2025 season. Uchida has played a crucial role in leading Tochigi City FC to significant promotions, including securing their ascent to the JFL in 2024 and subsequently to the J3 League in 2025, marking the club's first entry into the professional third tier.
2. Early Life and Youth Career
Uchida was born on April 26, 1991, in Asahikawa, Hokkaido, Japan. He began his football journey upon entering elementary school, joining a local football club in his hometown. Later, he became a member of the inaugural class of the Consadole Sapporo youth system, playing for Consadole Asahikawa U-15. Despite his efforts, he did not advance from the U-15 team to the youth team level within the Consadole Sapporo organization. Following his time in the U-15 team, Uchida continued to pursue football at Asahikawa Jitsugyo High School.
3. University Career
After completing high school, Uchida enrolled at Kanazawa Seiryo University, where he continued his football development from 2010 to 2013. During his senior year in 2013, he was appointed captain of the university's football team. As captain, he led Kanazawa Seiryo University to achieve its first-ever victory in the prestigious Prime Minister's Cup All Japan University Soccer Tournament. His collegiate performance also earned him a spot in the Tokai/Hokushin'etsu selection team for the 27th Denso Cup Challenge Soccer tournament.
In August 2013, while still a university student, Uchida was recognized as a JFA/J.League Special Designated Player, allowing him to play for the professional club Kataller Toyama in the J2 League-a first for Kataller Toyama to register a Special Designated Player. Immediately following his registration, he made his J.League debut as a starter in the J2 Matchweek 32 fixture against Ehime FC. In December of the same year, his full professional contract with Kataller Toyama for the 2014 season was officially announced, making him the first player from the Consadole Asahikawa U-15 program to sign a professional J.League contract.
4. Professional Club Career
Rempei Uchida's professional club career has spanned several tiers of Japanese football, marked by his consistent contributions to each team's success, particularly in their ascent through the league system.
4.1. Kataller Toyama
Uchida officially joined Kataller Toyama for the 2014 season after being registered as a Special Designated Player in 2013. He played for the club from 2014 to 2016. During his tenure, he continued to develop as a defender, having already made his J.League debut prior to his official signing. He scored his first J.League goal on May 24, 2015, in a J3 League match against Fukushima United FC during J3 Matchweek 13. His contract with Kataller Toyama concluded at the end of the 2016 season.
4.2. Ococias Kyoto AC
In 2017, Uchida joined Amitie SC Kyoto, a club that was later renamed Ococias Kyoto AC. He played for this club from 2017 to 2019. During his time with Ococias Kyoto AC, the team achieved significant success in the Kansai Soccer League, winning the Division 1 title twice, in both 2017 and 2019. These titles were key achievements for the club in the regional league system.
4.3. Tochigi City FC
Uchida made a full transfer to Tochigi City FC in January 2020, joining them while they were competing in the Kantō Soccer League. He has since played a pivotal role in the club's rise through the Japanese football pyramid. He contributed to Tochigi City FC winning the Kantō Soccer League Division 1 title in both 2020 and 2022.
In 2023, Uchida helped lead Tochigi City FC to victory in the Japanese Regional Football Champions League, securing the club's promotion to the JFL for the 2024 season. His leadership continued as the club achieved another historic milestone on November 17, 2024, by winning the JFL title. This victory earned Tochigi City FC promotion to the J3 League for the first time in their history for the 2025 season, marking their return to the professional third tier after an 11-year absence from that level. Recognizing his leadership and importance to the team, Uchida was named the club captain for the 2025 season.
5. Play Style and Characteristics
Rempei Uchida's play style is characterized by his strong defensive capabilities, particularly as a centre-back. Although he began his youth career as a midfielder, specifically a defensive midfielder, he was converted to a defender during his time at Consadole Asahikawa U-15. This positional change highlighted his versatility and adaptability on the field.
He stands at 75 in (190 cm) and weighs 172 lb (78 kg). Throughout his career, Uchida has demonstrated remarkable resilience and a commitment to physical conditioning. He notably overcame two separate injuries during his freshman and sophomore years at university, periods when he was unable to play football. During these recovery periods, he dedicated himself to muscle training, which resulted in a significant increase in his speed and physical prowess upon his return to play. This improvement was evident when he surprised officials at Kataller Toyama during a training session, finishing second in a 10-minute run and first in a 3-minute run among all players. His dedication to fitness and his ability to overcome setbacks have been consistent themes throughout his career, contributing to his consistent performance and value to his teams.
6. Career Statistics
6.1. Club
| 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 | ||||||
| 2013 | Toyama | J2 | 3 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | |||
| 2014 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2015 | J3 | 30 | 2 | - | 30 | 2 | ||||
| 2016 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | - | 11 | 1 | |||
| 2017 | Amitie SC Kyoto / Ococias Kyoto | Kansai Div 1 | 14 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 5 | ||
| 2018 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 14 | 3 | ||||
| 2019 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 1 | ||||
| 2020 | Tochigi City | Kantō Div 1 | 8 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | ||
| 2021 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 2 | ||||
| 2022 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | ||||
| 2023 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 2 | ||||
| 2024 | Japan Football League | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 1 | |||
| 2025 | J3 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Career total | 150 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 158 | 20 | ||
- J.League First Appearance: September 1, 2013, J2 Matchweek 32 vs. Ehime FC (at Ninstadium), started.
- J.League First Goal: May 24, 2015, J3 Matchweek 13 vs. Fukushima United FC (at Toyama Athletic Recreation Park Stadium).
7. Honours and Individual Titles
Rempei Uchida has earned several team championships and individual recognitions throughout his career.
- Club Honours
- Amitie SC Kyoto / Ococias Kyoto AC
- Kansai Soccer League Division 1: 2017, 2019
- Tochigi City FC
- Kantō Soccer League Division 1: 2020, 2022
- Japanese Regional Football Champions League: 2023
- Japan Football League: 2024
- Individual Titles
- Hokushin'etsu University Soccer League Best Eleven: 2012, 2013
- Kansai Soccer League Division 1 Best 11: 2017
- Amitie SC Kyoto / Ococias Kyoto AC
8. National Team and Selection Career
Uchida's talent was recognized at the collegiate level, leading to his selection for regional representative teams. He was a member of the Tokai/Hokushin'etsu selection team for the 27th Denso Cup Challenge Soccer in 2013, where he competed against other top university players from across Japan.