is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a forward. He played for the Japan national team, scoring six goals in 60 appearances. He was the J.League Top Scorer and J.League Best XI in 2013, 2014, and 2015.
Club career Okubo was born in Kanda, Fukuoka on 9 June 1982. After graduating from high school, he joined J1 League club Cerezo Osaka in 2001. He played many matches as forward and offensive midfielder from first season. However Cerezo finished at the bottom place in 2001 season and was relegated to J2 League. In 2002 season, he scored 18 goals which was the second top scorer and Cerezo reached the second place and was returned to J1 in a year. From 2003, he scored more than 15 goals in J1. He was also selected Asian Young Footballer of the Year award in 2003.
In 2005, Okubo moved to La Liga club Mallorca on loan. Although the club results were bad, Mallorca finished at 17th place and remained La Liga in 2004–05 season. Although he played many matches as substitute forward in 2005–06 season, his opportunity to play decreased from April 2006.nikkansports.com
In June 2006, Okubo returned to Cerezo Osaka. At then Cerezo won only one of 13 matches and at the bottom place of 18 clubs in 2006 season.J.League Although he played as forward all matches excluding suspension, Cerezo finished at the 17th place and was relegated to J2 again.J.League
In 2007, Okubo moved to J1 club Vissel Kobe. He played many matches as left midfielder in two seasons under manager Hiroshi Matsuda and scored more than ten goals both seasons.
On 3 January 2009, Vissel Kobe announced Okubo's transfer to VfL Wolfsburg of the Bundesliga. After just six months with Wolfsburg, he returned to Vissel Kobe. Upon his return, he became the first Japanese striker to have won the Bundesliga title.
In June 2009, Okubo returned to Japan and re-joined Vissel Kobe. He played as forward all 19 matches and scored 8 goals in 2009 season.J.League Although his opportunity to play decreased for injuries in 2010, he played as regular player until 2012. However Vissel finished at the 16th place in 2012 season and was relegated to J2 League.
After Vissel Kobe was relegated to the J2 League in 2013 season, Okubo transferred to Kawasaki Frontale. An ever-present figure and a regular starting eleven in Kawasaki, he scored 26 goals in his debut season in the Kanagawa Prefecture football club and clinched top scorer of 2013 season. He played more than 30 matches every season and he became a top scorer for 3 years in a row until 2015 season.
At the end of 2016 season and before J.League Championship, Okubo announced he would leave Kawasaki Frontale to sign for FC Tokyo in 2017.FC Tokyo He played in one season and scored eight goals.
In 2018, Okubo re-joined Kawasaki Frontale. However he could not as regular player and he mainly played as substitute forward.J.League
In June 2018, Okubo moved to Júbilo Iwata.Júbilo Iwata
International career In 2003, Okubo was selected Japan national team by manager Zico. He made his international debut on 31 May 2003 in a friendly against South Korea at Tokyo National Stadium when he was sent on to the pitch to replace Takayuki Suzuki.Japan National Football Team Database Although he played many matches as forward in 2003, his opportunity to play decreased from 2004 as he struggled to score goals under Zico.
Okubo was also part of the Japan U-23 national team for 2004 Summer Olympics, who exited in the first round, having finished fourth in group B, below group winners Paraguay, Italy and Ghana.
In August 2007, Okubo was selected Japan for the first time in 2 years by manager Ivica Osim. Okubo scored his first international goal on 17 October 2007 in a friendly against Egypt at Osaka Nagai Stadium.
In 2010, Okubo was selected Japan for 2010 World Cup. He played as left midfielder in all 4 matches and Japan qualified to the knockout stage.
Okubo's selection for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was the big surprise of coach Alberto Zaccheroni's squad announcement. The forward had previously played just once for the coach in four years.
Career statistics
Club Júbilo IwataNippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)", 7 February 2018, Japan, (p. 8 out of 289)Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2016J1&J2&J3選手名鑑", 10 February 2016, Japan, (p. 177 out of 289)
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCerezo Osaka2001J1 League2023011——2432002J2 League291821———31192003J1 League24165430——3220200422151020——2515Total955111561——11257Mallorca (loan)2004–05La Liga133————1332005–0626211———273Total39511———406Cerezo Osaka2006J1 League2160000——216Vissel Kobe2007J1 League31142150——38152008311111———3212Total62253250——7027VfL Wolfsburg2008–09Bundesliga9020—20—130Vissel Kobe2009J1 League19811———20920101741100——18520113091010——32920122641032——306Total92254242——10029Kawasaki Frontale2013J1 League33264384——453320143218104281—4521201532233242——3927201633156500—104020Total1308214101688110169101FC Tokyo2017J1 League2880021——309Kawasaki Frontale201812200004011173Júbilo Iwata20181731000—1019320192012000——221Total3743000—10414Tokyo Verdy2020J2 League190————190Cerezo Osaka2021J1 League296215061—428Career total5732144021381220231674250
International + Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan200314020043020052020060020072220081232009902010110201100201210201300201461Total606
Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ōkubo goal.
+ List of international goals scored by Yoshito ŌkuboNo.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition1 17 October 2007 Osaka, Japan 4–1 2007 Afro-Asian Cup of Nations2 3 6 February 2008 Saitama, Japan 4–1 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification4 2 June 2008 Yokohama, Japan 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification5 13 November 2008 Kobe, Japan 3–1 Friendly6 6 June 2014 Florida, United States 4–3 Friendly
Honours VfL Wolfsburg Bundesliga: 2008–09
Individual Asian Young Footballer of the Year: 2003 J.League Top Scorer: 2013, 2014, 2015 J.League Best XI: 2013, 2014, 2015
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database
Profile at Kawasaki Frontale Real Mallorca bio