Ryo Fujii

Ryo Fujii
Personal information
Date of birth (1996-08-07) August 7, 1996
Place of birth Hong Kong
Height 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Playing position Midfielder
Club information
Current team
 LA Galaxy II
Number 48
Youth career
2011–2012 Chivas USA
2013–2014 LA Galaxy
2010–2014 South High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 19 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015– LA Galaxy II 49 (3)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of July 31, 2017.

Ryo Fujii (born August 7, 1996) is a Hong-Kong born, Japanese professional soccer player who currently plays for LA Galaxy II of the United Soccer League.

Early life and education

Fujii was born August 7, 1996, in Hong Kong to a Japanese father.[1][2][3] At a young age, Fujii and family relocated to Torrance, California, where he was raised.[2][3] Fujii attended South High School and played for the school's varsity team for all 4 years.[4] He joined and played with Chivas USA's youth side for the 2011–2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season before appearing with LA Galaxy's youth side for the 2013–2014 season.[4][5][6]

With his background, Fujii was considered a top collegiate soccer prospect.[7][8] Fujii elected to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara after being recruited by head coach Tim Vom Steeg.[2][9] While there, he played college soccer as a member of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team.[10] He appeared in 19 games for the Gauchos and added 2 assists.[10] He was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team following the conclusion of the season.[1][2]

Club career

LA Galaxy

In February 2015, Fujii turned professional by signing with LA Galaxy II of the United Soccer League.[11][12] By turning professional, he forfeited his amateur status and scholarship with UC Santa Barbara, but Fujii was the first player to sign for LA Galaxy under a new partnership with California State University, Dominguez Hills that provided additional financial resources for schooling.[2][11][13][14] Jovan Kirovski, the one responsible for Fujii's path, is unaware of any previous similar agreements and that this may be the first of its kind.[3] During his first professional season, he made twelve appearances for LA Galaxy II with one assist.[15]

References

  1. 1 2 "Getting 2 Know Galaxy II: Midfielder Ryo Fujii". LA Galaxy. September 2, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Serrano, Adam (March 18, 2015). "Game changer: LA Galaxy partnering with local university to help young players develop on and off the field". LA Galaxy. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Sánchez-Tello, George B.; Romero, José Antonio (August 15, 2016). "Midfield with Ryo Fujii". Hyphen. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  4. 1 2 "#62 - Ryo FUJII: US Soccer Development Academy player profile". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  5. ↑ "Chivas USA U-15/16 (2011-2012)". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  6. ↑ "LA Galaxy U-17/18 (2013-2014)". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  7. ↑ "Ryo Fujii Top Drawer Soccer player profile". www.TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  8. ↑ "Class of 2014 (High School Seniors)". www.CollegeSoccerNews.com. December 5, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  9. ↑ "UCSB Inks Another Nationally Ranked Player on Day Two of NLI Signings". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. February 6, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  10. 1 2 "UC Santa Barbara: Lineup". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  11. 1 2 "LA Galaxy II sign Galaxy Academy product Ryo Fujii". LA Galaxy. February 10, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  12. ↑ Steffen, Sean (February 12, 2015). "Ryo Fujii signs with Galaxy II on a game-changing contract". www.LAGConfidential.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  13. ↑ Steffen, Sean (February 12, 2015). "Jovan Kirovski reveals details of the Ryo Fujii contract and future of player development". www.LAGConfidential.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  14. ↑ Salazar, Jo-Ryan (March 19, 2015). "Meet Ryo Fujii: The Next Up-And-Comer For LA Galaxy II". TheViewFromAvalon.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  15. ↑ "2015 Stats". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
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