Takuya Yamada

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Takuya Yamada
Personal information
Full nameTakuya Yamada
Date of birth (1974-08-24) August 24, 1974
Place of birthTokyo, Japan
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Playing positionDefender, Defensive Midfielder
Club information
Current clubTampa Bay Rowdies
Number32
Youth career
1993–1996Komazawa University
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
1997–2005Tokyo Verdy[1]296(28)
2006Cerezo Osaka26(0)
2007–2008Yokohama FC54(5)
2009Sagan Tosu45(1)
2010–Tampa Bay Rowdies[2]97(4)
National team
2003–2004Japan4(0)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of August 24, 2013.

† Appearances (Goals).

‡ National team caps and goals correct as of December 20, 2008

Takuya Yamada (born August 24, 1974 in Tokyo) is a Japanese footballer currently playing for the Tampa Bay Rowdies in the North American Soccer League.

Career

Club

Yamada attended Toin Gakuen High School, where he led the school to the final four in the National Championship. Played at Komazawa University before turning professional where he won a variety of different national titles, including the Gold Medal for Japan at the 1995 Universiade.

He turned professional in 1997, playing for Verdy Kawasaki in the then-fledgling J. League. Yamada stayed with Verdy for the next eight years, clocking up almost 300 appearances for the club. He was one of the iconic players of J-League's early years, known for his physical and charismatic strength on the field. The supporters' group honored him with the name of "Mr. Verdy" when he served as Verdy's captain for three years. He was also nicknamed "The Terminator", due to his combative style.

He moved to Cerezo Osaka for the 2006 season, but never fully settled with the club. In December 2006, Yamada surprised the Australian football community by arriving unannounced for a trial with Adelaide United[3] [4] . However, in January, 2007, Adelaide United signed with a Brazilian attacking midfielder Diego Walsh from Miami FC who had a more advanced VISA status meaning Walsh was likely to be available sooner to play for the Reds.[5]

From Australia, Yamada flew to the United States for an invitational tryout with several Major League Soccer clubs, including New England Revolution,[6] but was not offered a contract. After returning to Japan, Yokohama FC of the J.League immediately announced its interest towards Yamada and signed him on 3 June 2007. Yamada served as captain for the 2008 season.

For the 2009 season, Yamada transferred to Sagan Tosu due to the head coach Yasuyuki Kishino's strong recruitment. On January 1, 2010 Yamada signed with FC Tampa Bay for their 2010 inaugural team roster.[7] He became the first Japanese player to serve as co-captain in USSF Division 2. Yamada re-signed with Tampa Bay, now playing in the North American Soccer League, on December 27, 2010.[8]

Yamada remained with Tampa Bay through the 2011 season. On October 5, 2011, the club announced that Yamada would return for the 2012 season.[9] It was the second straight season Yamada scored the game-winner in the home opener.[10] Started all 28 regular season matches and 2 post-season matches... Played in all 2,520 regular season minutes, the most in the NASL, and won the NASL Soccer Bowl 2012, he was also selected to the NASL 2012 Best XI.[11]

International

Yamada was capped four times for the Japanese national team between 2003 and 2004. He was also the world champion for the Universiade Fukuoka (World University Games) in 1995.

Career statistics

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
1997Verdy KawasakiJ. League 12210030251
1998703040140
19992934040373
20003042050374
2001Tokyo VerdyJ. League 12923020340
20022811061352
2003301030603910
20042715242365
20053301051391
2006Cerezo OsakaJ. League 12000060260
2007YokohamaJ. League 119120-211
2008J. League 231420-334
2009Sagan TosuJ. League 243120-451
United States League Open Cup League Cup Total
2010FC Tampa BayD2 Pro League290290
2011FC Tampa BayNASL241241
2012Tampa Bay RowdiesNASL303303
Country Japan 3482828245442134
United States 8340000834
Total 4313228245450438

[12]

Japan national team
YearAppsGoals
200310
200430
Total40

Playing style

The organizer on the pitch with his computerized accurate short, and long passes. He is a utility player as a mid-fielder, and defender, who is also capable both on the flank and middle. Takuya is also a hard nose player to go tight, and tough against whoever he is matching up with. Also, equipped with sharp overlaps to score when needed. Natural leader on and off the field who served as captain in three clubs.

Honors and awards

Tampa Bay Rowdies

Personal

  • 2010: Co-Captain of FC Tampa Bay
  • 2008: Captain of Yokohama F.C.
  • 2002-2005: Captain of Tokyo Verdy 1969

Club

  • 2005: J.League XEROX Super Cup Champion
  • 2004: J.League Emperor's Cup Champion
  • Asian Cup Champions: 2004
  • 1996: All-Japan University Best 11
  • 1995: Universiade Fukuoka (World University Games), Japanese College National Team – World Champion (Gold Medal)
  • 1995: All-Japan University Best 11
  • 1993: All-Japan High School Select Team

International

  • 2004 Asian Cup (Champion)

References

  1. Team was known as Verdy Kawasaki prior to 2001
  2. Formerly known as FC Tampa Bay through 2011.
  3. A-League, Hyundai (2006-12-20). "Yamada Trains with Reds". Hyundai A-League. Retrieved 2006-12-21. 
  4. Lato, Daniel (2006-12-20). "Reds eye surprise arrival". Adelaide Advertiser. Retrieved 2006-12-21. 
  5. Lato, Daniel (2007-01-10). "United signs Diego". Adelaide Advertiser. Retrieved 2007-01-10. 
  6. MLS marketing executive says league interested in Japanese players
  7. FC Tampa Bay Rowdies Sign Iconic Japanese Midfielder Takuya Yamada
  8. http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=4141288
  9. http://fctampabay.com/index.php?id=31&newsid=1397
  10. http://www2.tbo.com/sports/sports/2012/apr/16/rowdies-edge-edmonton-1-0-in-home-opener-ar-392995/ Rowdies edge Edmonton 1-0 in home opener
  11. NASL Announces 2012 Best XI
  12. Takuya Yamada at National-Football-Teams.com
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