Yuto Kusaba is a Japanese forward currently turning out for Kenyan Premier League[1] side Nairobi City Stars.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Yuto Kusaba | ||
| Date of birth | 17 January 2001 | ||
| Place of birth | Osaka, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.71 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2019 | St.Andrews FC | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019-2020 | Momoyama Gakuin University | ||
| 2020-22 | Basara Hyogo | ||
| 2023 | FC Zenshin | 10 | (8) |
| 2023 | Nairobi City Stars | 13 | (3) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 19:31, 26 Jun 2024 (UTC) | |||
Career
editYuto featured for lower-tier sides in Japan including St. Andrews FC, Momoyama Gakuin University, and FC Basara Hyogo in the Kansai Soccer League between 2019 and 2023.[3]
He then traveled to Kenya as a volunteer for an NGO in Embu, and it was while there that he joined fourth-tier side FC Zenshin. Yuto then moved to Nairobi City Stars in August 2023[4] from the Embu-based club but was locked out[5] of participating in the top Kenyan topflight league after it emerged that International Transfer guidelines were never met when he first arrived in Kenya.
However,[6] he completed his registration in the mid-transfer window in January 2024 and went on to debut for City Stars[7] on Sunday 4 Feb with a substitute appearance against Shabana FC at the Kenyatta Stadium, Machakos.
He registered his maiden Kenyan Premier League goal[8] after scoring an 85th minute penalty against Muranga SEAL at the Police Sacco Stadium on Saturday 13 Apr 2024. He scored a brace against KCB in the 2023-24 Premier league season ender at Utalii grounds on Sun 24 June 2024 to end the season with three goals.
References
edit- ^ Pulse Sport, 14 Dec 2023 Yuto Kusaba reveals how ex-AC Milan cult hero Keisuke Honda inspired him to play in Kenya
- ^ People Daily, 24 Aug 2023 Nairobi City Stars sign Japanese forward Yuto
- ^ Pulse Sport, 13 Dec 2023 Japanese sensation Yuto Kusaba opens up on the struggles he faced before joining Nairobi City Stars
- ^ Michezo Afrika, 27 Aug 2023 Nairobi City Stars sign Japanese Star
- ^ The-Star, 4 Sep 2023 Japanese striker Yuto will not feature for the club in the first leg, says Korir
- ^ The-Star, 9 Dec 2023 City Stars to complete signing of Japanese Kusaba in January
- ^ Mozzart Sport, 7 Feb 2024 Japanese Yuto Kusaba delighted after making FKFPL debut last weekend
- ^ Mozzart Sport, 13 Apr 20204 Kusaba scores debut goal as City Stars drown Seal