1. Overview
Takeshi Saito (斉藤 武志Saitō TakeshiJapanese) was a Japanese professional football player who played as a goalkeeper. Born in Yamagata Prefecture in 1979, he began his professional career with Montedio Yamagata in 1998 after coming through the youth ranks of JEF United Ichihara. Saito spent his entire professional playing career with Montedio Yamagata, competing in the Japan Football League and later the J2 League. Despite facing competition for his position, he saw significant playing time in 2002 before retiring at the end of the 2003 season. Following his retirement from playing, Saito transitioned into coaching, serving as a youth development coach and later a goalkeeper coach for Montedio Yamagata's youth organization from 2004 until his death in a traffic accident in 2007.
2. Personal Information
Takeshi Saito was born on June 1, 1979, in Yamagata Prefecture, Japan. He was a Japanese national. Standing at 72 in (182 cm) and weighing 165 lb (75 kg), he played as a goalkeeper throughout his professional career.
3. Playing Career
Takeshi Saito's professional football career spanned from 1998 to 2003, exclusively with Montedio Yamagata.
3.1. Youth Career and Professional Debut
Saito began his football journey in the youth system of JEF United Ichihara from 1995 to 1997. In 1998, he joined Montedio Yamagata, which was then competing in the Japan Football League. This marked his professional debut.
3.2. Club Affiliation and Activities
Upon joining Montedio Yamagata in 1998, Saito served as a goalkeeper. The club was promoted to the newly established J2 League in 1999. In his early years with the club, Saito found playing opportunities limited, often serving as the second-choice goalkeeper behind Katsumi Suzuki. He made very few appearances between 1999 and 2001. However, he saw increased playing time in the latter half of the 2002 season, featuring in 19 league matches. His opportunities diminished again in 2003 following the arrival of Shigeru Sakurai, and Saito did not make any appearances during that season.
3.3. Retirement
Takeshi Saito retired from professional football at the end of the 2003 season, concluding his playing career with Montedio Yamagata.
4. Coaching Career
Following his retirement as a player, Takeshi Saito transitioned into a coaching role within Montedio Yamagata. In 2004, he was appointed as a youth development coach for the club. From 2006, he took on additional responsibilities, concurrently serving as a goalkeeper coach for Montedio Yamagata's youth organization.
5. Death
On May 15, 2007, Takeshi Saito caused a fatal traffic accident in Yamagata City. Following the incident, he was placed under suspension.
6. Personal Records
The following table details Takeshi Saito's club performance throughout his professional playing career.
| 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 | ||||||
| 1998 | Montedio Yamagata | Football League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | |
| 1999 | J2 League | 3 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | |
| 2000 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2001 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | ||
| 2002 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 19 | 0 | |||
| 2003 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | - | 0 | 0 | |||
| Total | 24 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||