1. Overview
Ryota Kajikawa (梶川 諒太Japanese) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Fujieda MYFC. Born on April 17, 1989, Kajikawa has had a distinguished career spanning several clubs in the J. League, including multiple stints with Tokyo Verdy, and playing key roles at Shonan Bellmare and V-Varen Nagasaki. His career is marked by consistency and significant contributions to his teams.
2. Early Life and Education
Ryota Kajikawa was born in Takasago, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. He received his early education and football training at Takasago Municipal Arai Elementary School and Takasago Municipal Arai Junior High School. He continued his academic and athletic development at Kansai Gakuin High School before enrolling in the Kansai Gakuin University Sports Association Football Club from 2008 to 2011. During his university career, Kajikawa distinguished himself, earning the Kansai Student Football League Rookie of the Year award in 2008. He was recognized as an Outstanding Player in the Kansai 1st Division League three times (2009, 2010, and 2011) and was named Assist King twice (2009 and 2011). Notably, Hiroyuki Abe, another prominent Japanese footballer, was a classmate of Kajikawa's at Kansai Gakuin University.
3. Club Career
Ryota Kajikawa's professional club career began as a special designated player and has since involved multiple transfers and significant contributions to various teams in the J. League.
3.1. Initial Professional Career
Kajikawa began his professional journey in 2011 when he was registered as a special designated player for Tokyo Verdy. During this period, he made 3 appearances in the J2 League. In 2012, he officially joined Tokyo Verdy as a professional player. He made his first professional start and scored his debut goal in the J2 League on March 17, 2012, in a match against Kataller Toyama.
3.2. Tokyo Verdy (First Stint)
During his initial period with Tokyo Verdy from 2011 to 2012, Kajikawa gradually established himself. In 2011, as a special designated player, he played 3 matches without scoring. The following year, in 2012, he significantly increased his contributions, appearing in 35 J2 League matches and scoring 3 goals. He also played in 2 matches and scored 1 goal in the Emperor's Cup, bringing his total for the season to 37 appearances and 4 goals.
3.3. Shonan Bellmare
On December 12, 2012, Kajikawa made a permanent move to Shonan Bellmare. His tenure with the club lasted until 2014. In 2013, playing in the J1 League, he made 23 appearances and scored 2 goals. He also participated in 1 Emperor's Cup match and 4 J. League Cup matches during this year. The 2014 season saw him make 6 appearances in the J2 League. With Shonan Bellmare, Kajikawa was part of the squad that won the J2 League title in 2014, marking a significant achievement in his club career.
3.4. V-Varen Nagasaki
For the 2015 season, Kajikawa was loaned to V-Varen Nagasaki. During this period, he quickly became a popular figure among the fans, even ranking high in a player popularity poll conducted by a team sponsor, Iwasaki Honpo. He had a productive year, featuring in 40 J2 League matches and scoring 6 goals, along with 1 appearance in the Emperor's Cup. His total appearances for 2015 stood at 41, with 6 goals. He also participated in 1 match of the J1 Promotion Play-offs.
In 2016, his move to V-Varen Nagasaki was made permanent. In this season, Kajikawa continued his strong performances, playing in 40 J2 League matches and scoring 3 goals. He also made 1 appearance in the Emperor's Cup. Beyond his on-field contributions, he took on significant leadership roles, being appointed as the vice-captain of the team and serving as the chairman of the Nagasaki Players' Association.
3.5. Tokyo Verdy (Second Stint)
On December 16, 2016, Kajikawa returned to Tokyo Verdy on a permanent transfer. This marked his second period with the club. In 2017, he was a regular presence, appearing in 41 J2 League matches and scoring 1 goal. He also played in 1 match of the J1 Promotion Play-offs. The 2018 season saw him make 34 J2 League appearances, and he also featured in 2 Emperor's Cup matches and 2 J1 Relegation/Promotion Play-offs matches. In 2019, he played in 32 J2 League matches, scoring 2 goals, and made 1 appearance in the J. League Cup.
3.6. Tokushima Vortis
In January 2020, Kajikawa transferred permanently to Tokushima Vortis. During his time with the club, he played in 15 J2 League matches in the 2020 season, making 1 appearance in the J. League Cup. With Tokushima Vortis, he secured his second J2 League title in 2020.
3.7. Tokyo Verdy (Third Stint)
In 2021, Kajikawa returned to Tokyo Verdy for a third stint, initially on a loan deal. He played in 37 J2 League matches, scoring 3 goals, and made 1 appearance in the J. League Cup. Following the conclusion of the 2021 season, his move to Tokyo Verdy was made permanent. In 2022, he played in 39 J2 League matches, scoring 1 goal, and made 3 appearances in the J. League Cup.
The 2023 season presented a challenge for Kajikawa when he sustained a right anterior cruciate ligament injury in Matchday 8 of the J2 League against Shimizu S-Pulse. The initial diagnosis estimated an 8-month recovery period, but he demonstrated remarkable resilience, returning to play in approximately 6 months for Matchday 40 against Júbilo Iwata. Despite the injury, he managed to make 8 J2 League appearances and scored 2 goals in 2023. His contract with Tokyo Verdy expired, and his departure was announced on December 7, 2023.
3.8. Fujieda MYFC
On December 29, 2023, Ryota Kajikawa officially transferred permanently to Fujieda MYFC, where he currently plays. As of the latest available statistics, he has made 31 appearances and scored 1 goal for Fujieda MYFC in the 2024 season.
4. Career Statistics
Ryota Kajikawa has compiled a detailed record of appearances and goals throughout his professional football career.
4.1. Club Statistics
| 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 | ||||||
| 2011 | Tokyo Verdy | J2 League | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 3 | 0 | |
| 2012 | 35 | 3 | 2 | 1 | - | 37 | 4 | |||
| 2013 | Shonan Bellmare | J1 League | 23 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 2 |
| 2014 | J2 League | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | |
| 2015 | V-Varen Nagasaki | 40 | 6 | 1 | 0 | - | 41 | 6 | ||
| 2016 | 40 | 3 | 1 | 0 | - | 41 | 3 | |||
| 2017 | Tokyo Verdy | 41 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 0 | ||
| 2019 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 33 | 2 | ||
| 2020 | Tokushima Vortis | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 2021 | Tokyo Verdy | 37 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 3 | |
| 2022 | 39 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 42 | 1 | ||
| 2023 | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 2 | ||
| 2024 | Fujieda MYFC | 31 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 31 | 1 | |
| Career total | 384 | 24 | 7 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 403 | 25 | ||
4.2. Other Official Appearances
In addition to regular league and cup competitions, Ryota Kajikawa has participated in several promotion and relegation play-off matches:
- 2015: J1 Promotion Play-offs: 1 appearance, 0 goals.
- 2017: J1 Promotion Play-offs: 1 appearance, 0 goals.
- 2018: J1 Relegation/Promotion Play-offs: 2 appearances, 0 goals.
4.3. Debut and First Goal Records
- J. League debut: July 31, 2011, J2 League Matchday 23, in a match against Oita Trinita at Ajinomoto Stadium.
- First J. League goal: March 17, 2012, J2 League Matchday 3, in a match against Kataller Toyama at Toyama Athletic Recreation Park Stadium.
5. Honours
Ryota Kajikawa has achieved several significant honours throughout his career, both with his clubs and individually.
5.1. Club Honours
- Kansai Gakuin University
- Kansai 1st Division League: 2009
- Shonan Bellmare
- J2 League: 2014
- Tokushima Vortis
- J2 League: 2020
5.2. Individual Honours
- Kansai 1st Division League Rookie of the Year: 2008
- Kansai 1st Division League Outstanding Player Award: 2009, 2010, 2011
- Kansai 1st Division League Assist King: 2009, 2011
6. Representative Career
Ryota Kajikawa has also represented at the university level:
- 2010: Kansai University Selection Team.
7. Personal Information
Ryota Kajikawa was born on April 17, 1989, in Takasago, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan. He stands at 65 in (164 cm) (approximately 5 feet 5 inches) tall and weighs 128 lb (58 kg) (approximately 128 pounds). His blood type is A. He is known by the nicknames りょーたRyotaJapanese and カジKajiJapanese.