Yu Yasukawa

1.1. Early Life and Youth Club Career

Born on May 24, 1988, in Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture, Yasukawa began playing for Wakaba FC before joining the youth organization of Avispa Fukuoka in 2004. During his time with Avispa Fukuoka's youth team, he was recognized for his potential, being selected for the National Training Center U-16 program in the same year, alongside fellow player Atsushi Suzuki.

1.2. University Career

In 2007, Yasukawa enrolled in Doshisha University, where he continued his football development within the university's soccer club until 2010. His teammates during this period included Kenji Arahori and Keisuke Hayashi. In 2010, his final year, he was selected for the Kansai selection team for the Denso Cup Challenge Soccer tournament. That same year, Doshisha University achieved a significant victory, winning the 39th Kansai Student Soccer Championship for the first time in 14 years. Yasukawa's performance earned him the Excellent Player Award in the Kansai Student Soccer League.

2.1. Oita Trinita

Yasukawa began his professional career in 2011, joining Oita Trinita in the J2 League. He made an immediate impact, being selected as a starter by manager Kazuaki Tasaka in the opening match against FC Gifu, marking his professional debut. In 2012, he played a crucial role as part of a three-man defense, featuring in both J1 League Promotion Play-offs matches, playing the full 180 minutes without conceding a goal. This defensive solidity contributed significantly to Oita Trinita's return to the J1 League after a four-year absence.

In 2013, Yasukawa made his debut in the J1 League, appearing in 24 league matches. He scored his first professional goal in the second league match against Kawasaki Frontale. Despite his contributions, Oita Trinita finished at the bottom of the league and was relegated back to J2. Yasukawa renewed his contract for the following season. From 2014, he was converted to play as a left-back. In 2015, he recorded his career-high in appearances, playing in 37 official matches. However, the team faced another relegation, this time dropping to the J3 League.

2.2. Matsumoto Yamaga FC

In 2016, Yu Yasukawa transferred to Matsumoto Yamaga FC. During his second year with the club in 2017, he achieved a personal best, scoring 4 goals in 21 appearances. In 2018, his third year, he was part of the squad that won the J2 League championship. At the end of the 2018 season, his contract with Matsumoto Yamaga FC expired, leading to his departure from the club.

3.1. Appearance History

Yu Yasukawa's notable first appearances and goals in various professional leagues are as follows:

• First J1 League appearance: March 2, 2013, in a match against FC Tokyo at Ōita Bank Dome.
  • First J1 League goal: March 9, 2013, in a match against Kawasaki Frontale at the National Stadium.
• First J2 League appearance: March 6, 2011, in a match against FC Gifu at Gifu Nagaragawa Stadium.
  • First J2 League goal: April 26, 2014, in a match against Kataller Toyama at Ōita Bank Dome.

5.1. Club Honors

• Doshisha University
  • Kansai Student Soccer Championship: 2010
• Matsumoto Yamaga FC
  • J2 League: 2018

5.2. Individual Honors

• Kansai Student Soccer League Excellent Player Award: 2010