1. Overview
Shota Saito (斎藤 翔太Saitō ShōtaJapanese) is a Japanese professional footballer who primarily plays as a midfielder. Born on December 7, 1996, in Saitama Prefecture, he developed through the youth system of Urawa Red Diamonds before embarking on a club career that has spanned various Japanese leagues, including loan spells and permanent transfers. His professional journey includes affiliations with J.League U-22 Selection, Mito HollyHock, Japan Soccer College, Suzuka Point Getters, and Reilac Shiga FC. He has also represented Japan at the youth international level, participating in significant tournaments such as the AFF U-16 Youth Championship and the FIFA U-17 World Cup. Saito is set to join Shinagawa CC Yokohama in 2025.
2. Early Life and Background
Shota Saito was born on December 7, 1996, in Ōmiya City, Saitama Prefecture, which is now part of Kita-ku, Saitama City. His early life was marked by a strong engagement with football, which began at a young age and led him through various stages of youth development within prominent Japanese football clubs.
2.1. Childhood and Youth Career
Saito began his football journey with the Ōmiya Asaoki Soccer Sports Boy's Club during his time at Ōsato Elementary School. Upon entering junior high school, he joined the Urawa Red Diamonds Junior Youth team, which was followed by his progression to the Urawa Red Diamonds Youth team while attending Ōmiya Nishi High School. His talent was recognized early, leading to his selection for various age-group Japan national teams starting in 2012.
In April 2014, while still part of the youth system, Saito was registered as a Type 2 Player with the Urawa Red Diamonds' senior team, a status he held until December of that year. This allowed him to train and potentially play with the professional squad while still being a youth player. In September 2014, it was officially announced that Saito, alongside fellow youth player Rikya Mogi, would be promoted to the Urawa Red Diamonds' top team for the upcoming 2015 season, marking his formal entry into professional football.
3. Club Career
Shota Saito's club career has seen him move through several teams across different tiers of Japanese football, gaining experience and contributing to various squads.
3.1. Urawa Red Diamonds
Saito officially joined the J1 League club Urawa Red Diamonds in 2015, following his promotion from their youth academy. Despite being part of the senior squad, he did not make any league appearances for the club during his tenure. His contract with Urawa Red Diamonds expired in December 2017, leading to his departure.
3.2. J.League U-22 Selection
During the 2015 season, while still affiliated with Urawa Red Diamonds, Saito was also part of the J.League U-22 Selection team. This developmental squad competed in the J3 League to provide young players with match experience. Saito made 8 appearances for the J.League U-22 Selection during this period.
3.3. Mito HollyHock
In 2016, Saito was loaned to J2 League club Mito HollyHock. He remained with the club for two seasons, from 2016 to 2017. During his loan spell, he made 2 appearances in the Emperor's Cup in 2016 and 1 appearance in the Emperor's Cup in 2017, but did not feature in any league matches. His loan period concluded in December 2017, at which point he also departed from Urawa Red Diamonds. Following his departure from Urawa, Saito participated in the J.League Joint Tryout held in December 2017, seeking a new club.
3.4. Japan Soccer College
In 2018, Saito joined Japan Soccer College, a club competing in the Hokushinetsu Football League, which is part of the Japanese Regional Leagues. He played for Japan Soccer College for two seasons, in 2018 and 2019. During his time there, he made 8 league appearances and scored 2 goals in 2018, followed by 12 league appearances and 3 goals in 2019. He left the club at the end of the 2019 season.
3.5. Suzuka Point Getters
On February 13, 2020, Saito was announced as a new signing for Suzuka Point Getters (now known as Atletico Suzuka Club), a team in the Japan Football League (JFL). He played for Suzuka Point Getters for three seasons, from 2020 to 2022. In the JFL, he made 4 appearances in 2020, 1 appearance in 2021, and 3 appearances in 2022, without scoring any goals. He departed from Suzuka Point Getters at the end of the 2022 season.
3.6. Reilac Shiga FC
On January 7, 2023, it was officially announced that Saito would transfer to Reilac Shiga FC (formerly MIO Biwako Shiga), another club in the Japan Football League, ahead of the 2023 season. He was with Reilac Shiga FC for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. During his time there, he made 2 league appearances in 2023 and 0 appearances in 2024. He left Reilac Shiga FC in 2024.
3.7. Shinagawa CC Yokohama
It was announced on January 4, 2025, that Shota Saito would be transferring to Shinagawa CC Yokohama, a club competing in the Kanagawa Prefectural Adult Football League Division 1, effective from the 2025 season.
4. National Team Career
Shota Saito represented Japan at various youth levels, participating in significant international tournaments and contributing to the national team's efforts.
4.1. Youth National Teams
Saito was first selected for the Japan U-16 national team in 2012. With the U-16 squad, he participated in the 2012 AFF U-16 Youth Championship. Although an injury prevented him from competing in the 2012 AFC U-16 Championship, he continued to be a key player in the youth setup.
In October 2013, Saito was called up to the Japan U-17 national team for the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup held in the United Arab Emirates. He played in 3 matches during the tournament, contributing to the team's advancement to the Round of 16.
5. Career Statistics
As of the start of the 2025 season, Shota Saito's career statistics across various clubs and leagues are as follows:
| Club performance | League | Cup | League Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Other Official Matches | Total | |||||||
| 2015 | Urawa Red Diamonds | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2015 | J.League U-22 Selection | J3 League | 8 | 0 | - | - | - | 8 | 0 | |||
| 2016 | Mito HollyHock | J2 League | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | - | - | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2017 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2018 | Japan Soccer College | Hokushinetsu Football League | 8 | 2 | - | - | - | 8 | 2 | |||
| 2019 | 12 | 3 | - | - | - | 12 | 3 | |||||
| 2020 | Suzuka Point Getters | Japan Football League | 4 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 2021 | 1 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2022 | 3 | 0 | - | - | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||||
| 2023 | Reilac Shiga FC | Japan Football League | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | - | - | - | 0 | 0 | |||||
| Career total | 38 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 41 | 5 | ||
6. Titles and Awards
Shota Saito has earned one notable title during his youth international career.
- AFF U-16 Youth Championship** (2012) with Japan U-16 national team