Takayuki Morimoto

Takayuki Morimoto (2009)

Takayuki Morimoto (Japanese森 本 贵 幸, Takayuki Morimoto, born 4 May 1988 in Kawasaki ) is a Japanese football player.

Growing up in the youth sector of Tokyo Verdy, he moved in 2006 on loan to Catania. Morimoto is currently the youngest Japanese player, who made his debut in professional football and the youngest scorer in the history of the Japanese Championships. Jeremy Walker, an expert on Japanese football has compared Morimoto due to his physical condition, strength and speed with Ronaldo to start his career.

Career

In the club

On 13 March 2004, Morimoto made ​​his debut in the J. League for Tokyo Verdy against Jubilo Iwata with only 15 years, 10 months and 6 days, league record for the Japanese. His first goal came Morimoto against JEF United Ichihara on 5 May of the same year, two days before his sixteenth birthday.

In July 2006, Morimoto was awarded to Catania, in addition to the Sicilian Serie A club acquires an option to buy.

On 28 January 2007 a ​​few minutes before the end of the match against Atalanta, he made his debut in Serie A in the jersey of Catania. The gate Within minutes he managed to 1:1 draw. It was followed by four other presences without a goal. On the first day of the 2007/08 season against FC Parma, where he stood for the first time in the initial formation, Morimoto met again. During the Coppa Italia match against Udinese Calcio, Morimoto proved once again that he is the man for the important goals, because in the 89th minute he scored the 2-1 lead, which Catania for the first time in club history the could reach the semi-finals.

For the 2008/09 season Catania has drawn the option to purchase Morimoto.

In the National Team

Morimoto was part of the Japanese U-20 national team at the FIFA World Youth Championship in 2005 and the AFC Youth Championships 2004. Additionally, he participated in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing in part.