Shinji Okazaki

Shinji Okazaki
	Okazaki at the 2018 World Cup
Personal information
Full name	Shinji Okazaki
Date of birth	April 16, 1986 (age 38)
Place of birth	Takarazuka, Hyogo, Japan
Height	1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Forward
Club information
Current team	Huesca
Youth career
2002–2004	Takigawa Daini High School
Senior career*
Years	Team
2005–2010	Shimizu S-Pulse
2011–2013	Stuttgart
2013–2015	Mainz
2015–2019	Leicester City
2019–	Huesca
National team
2008	Japan U-23
2008–2019	Japan
Honours
Shimizu S-Pulse
Representing Japan
AFC Asian Cup
	* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of end of the 2019/20 season

Shinji Okazaki (岡崎慎司, Okazaki Shinji, born April 16, 1986) is a Japanese football player. He played for the Japan national team.

Biography

Okazaki was born in Takarazuka on April 16, 1986. After graduating from Takigawa Daini High School, he joined J1 League club Shimizu S-Pulse in 2005. He played many matches from 2007. The club won the 2nd place in the 2005, 2010 Emperor's Cup and 2008 J.League Cup. In January 2011, he moved to German Bundesliga club Stuttgart and played in 3 seasons. In 2013, he moved to Mainz. He scored 27 goals in 2 seasons. In 2015, he moved to English Premier League club Leicester City. In first season, the club won the Premier League champions. He played for the club in 4 seasons. In July 2019, he signed with Spanish Segunda División club Málaga CF. However, Málaga canceled its contract, since the team was unable to register him as his wage demands exceeded its maximum budget spend as permitted by the league. In September 2019, he signed with Segunda División club Huesca. The club won the champions in 2019/20 season and was promoted to La Liga.

In August 2008, Okazaki was selected the Japan U-23 national team at 2008 Summer Olympics and played all 3 matches. On October 9, 2008, he debuted for the Japan national team against United Arab Emirates. After the debut, he played many matches as forward or offensive midfielder. He was selected the japan for 2010 World Cup. However he lost his position just before 2010 World Cup and he played as substitute in all 4 matches. After the 2010 World Cup, he became a regular player again under new Alberto Zaccheroni. In 2011, he participated 2011 Asian Cup. He played all 6 matches and scored 3 goals, and Japan won the champions. In 2013, he participated 2013 Confederations Cup. He played all 3 matches and scored 2 goal against Italy and Mexico. In 2014, he was selected the Japan for 2014 World Cup. He played all 3 matches and scored a goal against Colombia. His opportunity to play decreased from 2017. He also played at 2018 World Cup and 2019 Copa América. He played 119 games and scored 50 goals for Japan until 2019.

Statistics

^[1]^[2]

Club statistics			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Asia		Total
2005	Shimizu S-Pulse	J1 League	1	0	3	0	1	0	-		5	0
2006			7	0	3	0	2	0	-		12	0
2007			21	5	2	0	2	0	-		25	5
2008			27	10	2	1	5	0	-		34	11
2009			34	14	3	2	4	1	-		41	17
2010			31	13	4	2	2	1	-		37	16
Germany			League		DFB-Pokal		Premiere Ligapokal		Europe		Total
2010/11	Stuttgart	Bundesliga	12	2	0	0	-		2	0	14	2
2011/12			26	7	3	0	-		-		29	7
2012/13			25	1	6	1	-		11	2	42	4
2013/14	Mainz	Bundesliga	33	15	2	0	-		-		35	15
2014/15	Mainz	Bundesliga	32	12	1	1	-		2	1	35	14
England			League		FA Cup		Football League Cup		Europe		Total
2015/16	Leicester City	Premier League	36	5	2	1	1	0	-		39	6
2016/17			30	3	3	0	1	2	7	1	41	6
2017/18			27	6	3	0	2	1	-		32	7
2018/19			21	0	1	0	3	0	-		25	0
Spain			League		Copa del Rey		Copa de la Liga		Europe		Total
2019/20	Huesca	Segunda División	37	12	1	0	-		-		38	12
2020/21	Huesca	La Liga
Country	Japan		121	42	16	2	17	5	-		154	49
	Germany		128	37	12	2	-		15	3	155	42
	England		114	14	9	1	7	3	7	1	137	19
	Spain		37	12	1	0	-		-		38	12
Total			400	105	38	5	24	8	22	4	484	122