1. Overview
Yoshinori Suzuki (鈴木 義宜Suzuki YoshinoriJapanese) is a Japanese professional footballer who primarily plays as a centre-back. Born on September 11, 1992, in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, he has had a notable career in the J.League, playing for clubs such as Oita Trinita, Shimizu S-Pulse, and currently Kyoto Sanga FC. Suzuki is known for his consistent defensive performances, leadership qualities, and ability to contribute to team promotions across various Japanese football leagues.
2. Personal Information
Yoshinori Suzuki was born on September 11, 1992, in Miyazaki City, Miyazaki Prefecture, Japan. He stands at a height of 72 in (184 cm) and weighs 159 lb (72 kg). His primary playing position is as a centre-back, utilizing his right foot as his dominant one. He is also known by the nickname "Nori" (ノリJapanese).
3. Youth Career and Education
Suzuki began his football development early, joining the Hirose Soccer Sports Youth Team. He continued his education and football training at Miyazaki Nihon University Junior High School from 2005 to 2007, followed by Miyazaki Nihon University High School from 2008 to 2010. In 2011, he enrolled in Miyazaki Sangyo-keiei University, where he played for the university's football club until 2014. During his university years, he secured a starting position from his first year and participated in the Emperor's Cup three times. In his fourth year, in 2014, he was approved as a Special Designated Player for Oita Trinita in the J2 League, though he did not make any appearances as a special designated player that year.
4. Professional Career
Yoshinori Suzuki's professional career has seen him play for three major Japanese clubs, contributing significantly to their successes and facing challenges, including promotions, relegations, and injuries.
4.1. Oita Trinita
Yoshinori Suzuki officially joined Oita Trinita in 2015 after his period as a special designated player. He was highly regarded by Nobuaki Yanagida, then the club's 강화·육성부장Ganghwa Yukseong BujangKorean (Strengthening and Development Director), who praised his defensive and covering skills, noting his consistent ability to perform reliably in any match. As a rookie, Suzuki was immediately selected as a starter for the opening match against Kamatamare Sanuki. In his debut season, he made 40 appearances primarily as a centre-back. However, in the first leg of the J2/J3 Play-offs against FC Machida Zelvia, which determined Oita's J2 League status, he received a red card, leading to his suspension for the crucial second leg. Oita subsequently lost the second leg 0-1 and was relegated to the J3 League.
In 2016, despite the relegation, Suzuki remained with Oita Trinita. He continued to be a starting centre-back, playing in all matches. In the final match of the J3 season against Gainare Tottori, which was pivotal for J2 promotion, he scored the decisive fourth goal, contributing to Oita's J3 League championship and securing their return to J2. His performance that year earned him a spot in the MY Awards J3 Best XI at the J.League Awards. Despite receiving an offer from Nagoya Grampus, he chose to stay with Oita.
Returning to the J2 League in 2017, Suzuki was appointed vice-captain. The team's formation shifted from a four-back to a three-back system, with Suzuki predominantly playing as the right centre-back. He maintained his impressive record of playing in all league matches for the second consecutive year. Although he aimed for five goals, his three goals that season were all match-winners. In 2018, he continued as vice-captain and moved to the central position of the three-back defense. He achieved another milestone by playing every minute of all league matches, demonstrating his durability and consistency. His leadership and defensive prowess were crucial in guiding Oita Trinita back to the J1 League after a six-year absence.
In 2019, Suzuki was promoted to team captain, marking his first season playing in the J1 League. He continued his remarkable streak, completing every minute of all league matches for the third consecutive year. While he did not score any goals that season, he led the league in shot blocks with 53, 22 more than the second-highest player, playing a pivotal role in Oita's strong defensive performance. In 2020, he maintained his full-time appearances from the start of the season. On August 23, during a J1 League match against Kashiwa Reysol, he reached the milestone of 200 career J.League appearances. However, on December 9, in another match against Kashiwa, he sustained a head contusion, which forced him to miss the subsequent match against Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo. This absence ended his extraordinary streak of 166 consecutive full-time appearances, which had begun in mid-2016 during his J3 League tenure.
4.2. Shimizu S-Pulse
In 2021, Yoshinori Suzuki made a permanent transfer to Shimizu S-Pulse. In his inaugural year with the club, he was appointed captain alongside Shuichi Gonda and Ryo Takeuchi. He immediately secured a starting position in the opening match and scored his first J1 League goal on March 21 against Kashiwa Reysol. However, on June 6, during the second leg of the J.League Cup play-off stage against Kashima Antlers, he suffered a severe injury in a collision with teammate Keita Nakamura, resulting in a skull fracture with an undetermined recovery period. Despite the serious injury, he made a remarkable return to official matches on September 5 in a J.Elite League game against Yokohama F. Marinos.
In 2022, Suzuki stepped down from the captaincy. Following Shimizu S-Pulse's relegation to the J2 League at the end of the 2022 season, he was reappointed captain for the 2023 season. In August 2023, his strong performances earned him the J2 Monthly MVP award. He also participated in the J1 Promotion Play-offs with Shimizu S-Pulse that year.
4.3. Kyoto Sanga FC
In 2024, Yoshinori Suzuki transferred to Kyoto Sanga FC on a permanent deal, continuing his career in the J.League.
5. Statistics
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Miyazaki Sangyo-keiei Univ. | 2011 | - | 2 | 0 | - | 2 | 0 | |||
| 2012 | - | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | ||||
| 2013 | - | 1 | 0 | - | 1 | 0 | ||||
| Total | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | ||
| Oita Trinita | 2015 | J2 League | 40 | 1 | 3 | 0 | - | 43 | 1 | |
| 2016 | J3 League | 30 | 1 | 2 | 0 | - | 32 | 1 | ||
| 2017 | J2 League | 42 | 3 | 0 | 0 | - | 42 | 3 | ||
| 2018 | J2 League | 42 | 1 | 0 | 0 | - | 42 | 1 | ||
| 2019 | J1 League | 34 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 36 | 0 | |
| 2020 | J1 League | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 34 | 0 | |
| Total | 221 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 229 | 6 | ||
| Shimizu S-Pulse | 2021 | J1 League | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 27 | 2 |
| 2022 | J1 League | 33 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 37 | 1 | |
| 2023 | J2 League | 40 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 42 | 2 | |
| Total | 95 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 106 | 5 | ||
| 2024 | Kyoto Sanga FC | J1 League | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 27 | 0 |
| Career total | 341 | 11 | 13 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 366 | 11 | ||
Notes:
- National Cup includes appearances in the Emperor's Cup.
- League Cup includes appearances in the J.League Cup.
Other official matches:
- 2015: J2/J3 Play-offs: 1 appearance, 0 goals
- 2023: J1 Promotion Play-offs: 2 appearances, 0 goals
Appearance and goal milestones:
- First J1 League appearance: February 23, 2019, J1 League Matchday 1 vs Kashima Antlers (at Kashima Soccer Stadium)
- First J2 League appearance: March 8, 2015, J2 League Matchday 1 vs Kamatamare Sanuki (at Kagawa Prefectural Marugame Stadium)
- First J2 League goal: April 1, 2015, J2 League Matchday 5 vs FC Gifu (at Oita Bank Dome)
- First J3 League appearance: March 13, 2016, J3 League Matchday 1 vs AC Nagano Parceiro (at Oita Bank Dome)
- First J3 League goal: November 20, 2016, J3 League Matchday 30 vs Gainare Tottori (at Tottori Bank Bird Stadium)
6. Honours
6.1. Club
- Miyazaki Sangyo-keiei University**
- Miyanishi Flag / NHK Cup Miyazaki Prefectural Football Championship (Emperor's Cup Miyazaki Qualifiers): 2011, 2012, 2013
- Oita Trinita**
- J3 League: 2016
6.2. Individual
- J3 League MY Awards Best XI: 2016
- J2 League Best XI: 2023
- J2 League Monthly MVP: August 2023