Yuya Himeno

2.1. Birth and Early Life

Yuya Himeno was born on September 27, 1996, in Ōita City, Ōita Prefecture, Japan. He attended Ōita City Kaku Elementary School and Ōita City Kaku Junior High School during his formative years. He later continued his education at Oita Tomei High School. Himeno is managed by the agency eAMA.

2.2. Youth Football Career

Himeno started his football journey at the Oita Trinita Soccer School Minami Oita branch. From 2006 to 2008, he was a member of Oita Trinita U-12. Between 2009 and 2011, he played for HOYO AC ELAN Oita U-15, which is now known as Verspah Oita U-15. He then joined Oita Trinita U-18 in 2012, where he became a starting player from his first year.

With Oita Trinita U-18, Himeno played a crucial role in the team's success. He contributed to winning the Prince League Kyushu 1st Division in both 2013 and 2014. In 2014, after securing a consecutive Prince League Kyushu 1st Division title, the team participated in the Premier League promotion play-offs, where they defeated Hokkaido Ohtani Muroran High School and Yonago Kita High School. This achievement led to Oita Trinita U-18's first-ever promotion to the Premier League, which was a significant personal goal for Himeno. During this period, Tetsuya Yamazaki, the then-coach of Oita Trinita U-18, described Himeno as a player with "a lot of stamina and an indispensable presence for the team."

3.1. Oita Trinita and Initial Loan

In 2015, Yuya Himeno was promoted to the Oita Trinita top team, alongside fellow youth players Daisuke Sakai and Koyo Sato. In March of the same year, Himeno, along with Sato, was loaned to Verspah Oita in the JFL as a developmental transfer. During his spell with Verspah Oita, he made 9 league appearances. He returned to Oita Trinita in June 2015.

On November 14, 2015, Himeno made his J2 League debut in the 41st matchday against Omiya Ardija at NACK5 Stadium Omiya, entering as a substitute in the 33rd minute of the second half. Following Oita Trinita's relegation to the J3 League in 2016, Himeno played in the third division. Although he was mostly a bench player in the first half of the season, he started in the 16th matchday against FC Ryukyu and continued to be a regular starter in almost all subsequent matches, contributing to Oita Trinita's J3 League championship and immediate return to J2. His J3 League debut was on April 10, 2016, in the 4th matchday against FC Ryukyu at Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park Athletics Stadium.

In 2017, Himeno continued to play in the J2 League. He was appointed as a vice-captain for the season, alongside Yoshinori Suzuki, Akira Takeuchi, and Kazushi Mitsuhira. He started in the opening match and one subsequent game but primarily featured as a bench substitute throughout the season. Himeno scored his first official goal in the 2nd round of the 97th Emperor's Cup against FC Machida Zelvia. In the 2018 season, he made 4 league appearances for Oita.

3.2. Loans to Other Clubs

For the 2019 season, Himeno was loaned to Thespakusatsu Gunma, which competed in the J3 League. He played in 19 league matches for the club and scored his first J3 League goal on October 12, 2019, in the 26th matchday against Blaublitz Akita at Soyu Stadium.

In 2020, Himeno moved to Fujieda MYFC on another loan spell, also in the J3 League. He had a productive season, playing in all matches and scoring a career-high 3 goals.

3.3. Kataller Toyama and Vanraure Hachinohe

In 2021, Yuya Himeno made a permanent transfer to Kataller Toyama. He remained with the club for two seasons. His contract with Kataller Toyama expired on November 17, 2022.

For the 2023 season, Himeno transferred to J3 League club Vanraure Hachinohe.

5.1. Club Statistics

5.2. Other Official Appearances and Records

Beyond regular league and cup competitions, Yuya Himeno also featured in other official matches and achieved specific milestones:

• J2-J3 Play-offs: 1 appearance, 0 goals (2015)
• First J2 League appearance: November 14, 2015, in the 41st matchday against Omiya Ardija at NACK5 Stadium Omiya.
• First J3 League appearance: April 10, 2016, in the 4th matchday against FC Ryukyu at Okinawa Comprehensive Athletic Park Athletics Stadium.
• First J3 League goal: October 12, 2019, in the 26th matchday against Blaublitz Akita at Soyu Stadium.

6.1. U-15 Japan National Team

In 2011, Yuya Himeno was called up to the U-15 Japan National Team, marking his involvement in the national youth setup.

7.1. Club Honours

• J3 League: 2016 (with Oita Trinita)

7.2. Youth Club Honours

• Prince League Kyushu 1st Division: 2013, 2014 (with Oita Trinita U-18)