1. Overview
Ryohei Okazaki (岡﨑 亮平Okazaki RyoheiJapanese), born on April 25, 1992, is a Japanese professional footballer who primarily plays as a defender. Known for his right-footed play, he is currently affiliated with Blaublitz Akita in the J.League. Throughout his career, Okazaki has played for several notable Japanese clubs, including Shonan Bellmare, Roasso Kumamoto, FC Ryukyu, and Tochigi SC. He achieved significant success with Shonan Bellmare, winning both the J.League Cup in 2018 and the J2 League title in 2017.
2. Early Life and Youth Career
Ryohei Okazaki was born in Atsugi, Kanagawa, Japan. His football journey began at a young age, starting with Ogino SC where he played from 1999 to 2004. He then joined the youth system of Shonan Bellmare, playing for their Junior Youth team from 2005 to 2007, and subsequently for the Shonan Bellmare Youth team from 2008 to 2010. During his time with the youth team, he attended Kanagawa Prefectural Atsugi Kita High School.
Following his youth career, Okazaki continued his development at the collegiate level, playing for the Chuo University Football Club from 2011 to 2014. During his university years, he was recognized for his talent, being selected for the Kanto University Selection team in 2011, 2012, and 2013, and also earning a spot on the All Japan University Selection team in 2011.
3. Professional Career
Ryohei Okazaki's professional career has seen him move through several clubs in the J.League, marked by transfers, loan spells, and periods of recovery from injuries.
3.1. Club Career and Transfers
Okazaki began his professional career in 2015, joining Shonan Bellmare after graduating from Chuo University. In his initial season with Shonan, his playing opportunities were limited, with only three appearances in the J.League Cup. To gain more playing experience, he was sent on a developmental loan to Roasso Kumamoto on June 19, 2015. However, his time at Kumamoto was cut short due to a severe injury. Following the conclusion of his loan spell, Okazaki returned to Shonan Bellmare on December 10, 2015. He remained with Shonan Bellmare until the end of the 2018 season.
In December 2018, Okazaki made a permanent transfer to FC Ryukyu. He had a standout season in 2019, making a career-high 39 appearances. Despite expectations for the 2020 season, his playing time was reduced due to an injury sustained in a pre-season match. He continued to play for FC Ryukyu through the 2022 season.
For the 2023 season, Okazaki transferred to Tochigi SC. He played 24 matches for Tochigi SC before departing the club at the end of the year. In 2024, he joined Blaublitz Akita, where he currently plays.
3.2. Injuries and Career Setbacks
Okazaki's professional career has been impacted by several significant injuries. During his loan spell at Roasso Kumamoto in 2015, he made his debut against Kamatamare Sanuki. However, in that very match, he suffered a severe ligament injury, which led to a long-term absence after playing only a single game for the club.
Later, while with FC Ryukyu, Okazaki sustained another serious injury. On February 9, 2020, during a pre-season practice match against Urawa Red Diamonds, he suffered an orbital floor fracture and required surgery. Although he eventually returned to play, this injury significantly reduced his appearances compared to the previous season. In the 2021 season, after a strong start with 15 consecutive J2 League starts, he suffered a left biceps femoris muscle strain on July 12 during a J.Elite League match against Kagoshima United FC. The initial diagnosis indicated a recovery period of approximately six weeks, but he made an early return to the field, contributing to 28 J2 League appearances that year.
3.3. Position
Ryohei Okazaki primarily plays as a defender. He is known for being right-footed.
4. Statistics
Ryohei Okazaki's career statistics reflect his progression through various clubs and competitions in Japanese professional football.
4.1. Club Statistics
Okazaki made his J.League debut on June 28, 2015, in a J2 League match against Kamatamare Sanuki at Kumamoto Prefectural Athletic Stadium (then known as Umakana Yokana Stadium).
The following table details his club performance, including appearances and goals in league, cup, and league cup competitions, updated as of January 27, 2024.
| 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 | |||||||
| 2015 | Shonan Bellmare | J1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | ||
| 2015 | Roasso Kumamoto | J2 | 1 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||
| 2016 | Shonan | J1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2017 | Shonan | J2 | 4 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2018 | Shonan | J1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2019 | FC Ryukyu | J2 | 39 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 40 | 0 | ||
| 2020 | FC Ryukyu | J2 | 5 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 2021 | FC Ryukyu | J2 | 28 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 28 | 0 | ||
| 2022 | FC Ryukyu | J2 | 24 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2023 | Tochigi SC | J2 | 24 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2024 | Blaublitz Akita | J2 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | |
| 2025 | Blaublitz Akita | J2 | |||||||||
| J1 League Total | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 0 | |||
| J2 League Total | 135 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | 136 | 0 | ||||
| Career Total | 136 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 148 | 0 | |||
5. Titles and Awards
Ryohei Okazaki has achieved success at the club level during his career.
5.1. Club
; Shonan Bellmare
- J2 League: 2017
- J.League Cup: 2018