A graduate from the Meiji University, Nagatomo started his professional career with FC Tokyo in 2007,[3] quickly establishing himself as a first choice both within the team and the Japan national team. He would go on to play in Europe for over a decade, first joining Cesena in 2010, and then enjoying stints with Inter Milan (where he played for seven years, making more than 200 total appearances and even captaining the team for a brief period of time),[4]Galatasaray and Olympique Marseille. He would then go back to his boyhood club FC Tokyo in September 2021.[5]
With 142 caps (as well as four goals), Nagatomo is Japan's second-most capped player of all time, behind only Yasuhito Endō.[7] Having won his first cap for the Samurai Blue in 2008, just some months after making his professional debut with FC Tokyo, the full-back has represented Japan at one edition of the Olympic Games (in 2008), four consecutive World Cups (in 2010, 2014, 2018 and 2022), three consecutive Asian Cups (in 2011, 2015 and 2019) and one Confederations Cup (in 2013). He was part both of the squad that won the Asian Cup in 2011 and the one that finished as runners-up in the same competition in 2019.
Club career
FC Tokyo
Nagatomo officially signed with FC Tokyo in 2008,[3] while at Meiji. But he made an appearance at J.League Cup as Special Designated Youth Player in 2007. Nagatomo made 84 appearances in his four years at FC Tokyo.
Cesena
In July 2010, Nagatomo was signed on loan by the newly promoted Serie A side Cesena, where he played the first half of the season as Cesena's starting left back.[8][9] Before moving to Italy, Nagatomo gave a speech to 25,000 supporters just after the match involving F.C. Tokyo and Vissel Kobe on 17 July 2010. After being signed on a permanent deal, Nagatomo was then sold to Inter Milan.
Inter Milan
Nagatomo playing for Cesena in 2010Nagatomo with Inter in 2011
Due to his impressive performances for both Cesena and Japan in the 2011 Asian Cup, he was fully signed by Cesena in January 2011.[10] But before making any league appearances he was sent straight out on loan to Inter Milan in exchange for Davide Santon also on loan, becoming the first East Asian player to sign with Inter Milan.[11][12]
Nagatomo, wearing number 55, made his debut for Nerazzurri on 6 February 2011, replacing Wesley Sneijder in the Serie A match against Roma, won by Inter 5–3.[13] In the following game, Nagatomo came on as a late substitute against Juventus, before starting in both of the following games against Fiorentina and Cagliari. Nagatomo showed his versatility by playing right back against Sampdoria on 27 February, and finishing the whole 90 minutes.[14][15] On 6 March 2011, Nagatomo scored his first goal for Inter in the 5–2 trashing of Genoa on a Kharja assist with a swivel and a finish into the roof of the net.[16]
On 15 March, to show solidarity with his home country in light of the catastrophic earthquake and tsunami which took place the previous week he paraded the Japanese flag (with the writing "You'll Never Walk Alone", a chant of his former team in Tokyo) around the pitch during a Champions League match against Bayern Munich.[17]
Inter had drawn German club side Schalke 04 in the quarter-finals of Champions League. Nagatomo, along with international teammate Atsuto Uchida, who played for Schalke, became the second and third Japanese footballer to play in the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions league. (Keisuke Honda was the first, playing for CSKA Moscow during 2009–10 season).
After the Serie A season was over, Inter Milan made an agreement with Cesena of making Yuto's move permanent in a cash plus player exchange deal. Nagatomo was valued at €10.95 million,[18] however part of the fee was paid via half of the registration rights of Luca Garritano (€700,000)[18] and Luca Caldirola (€2.5 million).
Nagatomo started his second Inter Milan season by playing 62 minutes in the opening Serie A match against Palermo, which ended in a 4–3 away defeat.[19] On 27 September 2011, Nagatomo provided an assist for Giampaolo Pazzini by nutmegging Aleksei Berezutski before driving the ball across goal during the 3–2 away win against CSKA Moscow in the second Champions League group stage.[20] He scored his first goal of the season on 10 December, during the 2–0 home win against Fiorentina in 15th league matchday.[21] He was again on the scoresheet three days later as he headed home a Ricky Álvarez cross in the 1–0 win against Genoa.[22] In the last match of 2011 against Lecce at home, Nagatomo produced a "man of the match" performance by providing two assists in an eventual 4–1 win.[23]
Nagatomo enjoyed his most productive season under Walter Mazzarri, scoring five goals, along with six assists during the 2013–14 season.[24][25]
Nagatomo lost his place in the starting lineup in the 2014–15 season, making only 14 league appearances. He captained Inter for the first time on 28 September 2014 in the 2014–15 Serie A matchday 5 versus Cagliari, leaving the field in the 27th minute after receiving two yellow cards in 120 seconds as Inter was defeated 1–4 at San Siro.[26] Nagatomo said that he had turned down a January 2016 offer from Premier League outfit Manchester United, stating that his intentions were to renew with Inter.[27]
On 8 April 2016, Nagatomo agreed a contract extension with the club, signing until June 2019.[28] During the 2016–17 season, he played 20 matches in all competitions, including 16 in league, 11 of them as starter, as Inter finished 7th in championship, was eliminated in the quarter-final of Coppa Italia by Lazio, and finished bottom in Europa League Group K.[29]
Nagatomo improved his game at the start of 2017–18 season under new manager Luciano Spalletti, winning his place once again.[30] His 200th official appearance for Inter occurred on 16 September 2017 in the matchday 3 match at Crotone, winning a free kick that lead to the first goal in an eventual 0–2 win.[31] Later on 12 December, Nagatomo played 120 minutes in the 2017–18 Coppa Italia round of 16 fixture against underdogs of Pordenone.[32] The match went to penalty shootouts where he netted the winning penalty in the 5–4 penalty shootout that led Inter Milan to the victory and progression to quarter-finals.[33]
Galatasaray
On 31 January 2018, Nagatomo joined Turkish club Galatasaray on loan for the remainder of the 2017–18 season.[34] On 30 June 2018 the deal was made permanent.[35] On 20 April 2019, Nagotomo scored his first goal for the club in a league match against Kayserispor. In his time with the Galatasaray, Nagatomo won two back-to-back Süper Lig titles in 2018 and 2019, a Turkish Cup and a Turkish Super Cup in 2019
Marseille
On 31 August 2020, Nagatomo signed with Ligue 1 club Marseille on a free transfer.[36] He made his first appearance for the club in a 1–1 league draw against Lille on 20 September 2020.[37]
Return to FC Tokyo
Upon the expiry of his Marseille contract, on 12 September 2021, he rejoined his boyhood club, FC Tokyo. On 18 September 2021, Nagatomo make his first appearance for the club against Yokohama FC for the time since leaving for Europe 10 years ago.
Nagatomo earned his first international cap for Japan on 24 May 2008 in a friendly against Ivory Coast. His first international goal was scored in a friendly against Syria held on 13 November 2008. Nagatomo was also a member of the Japan U-21 team for the 2008 Summer Olympics.
2010 FIFA World Cup
He was called up to Japan for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, starting all three group games and the round of 16 match against Paraguay, where Japan were eliminated in penalties.
2011 AFC Asian Cup
Nagatomo was selected as part of the Japan squad for the 2011 AFC Asian Cup by coach Alberto Zaccheroni. He featured in every game Japan played in the competition and helped them defeat Australia in the final, thus earning his first international honour.
Nagatomo was part of Japan's national squad to play in the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. He started in all three group matches but Japan was eliminated in the group stage.
Currently with 142 caps, he is Japan's second highest capped player behind Yasuhito Endo who holds 152 caps for Japan.
Personal life
Nagatomo is married to Japanese actress Airi Taira. The couple had maintained a long-distance relationship for several years as Taira was based in Japan.[42] Nagatomo proposed to her on the San Siro pitch in February 2016[43] and they registered their marriage in January 2017.[44] They have three sons. Both of them appeared in the Captain Tsubasa Olympics special which, aired as part of the annual Jikan Terebi Nihon no Sport wa Tsuyo in November 2019.[45]
^ ab長友佑都選手(明治大学) 来季新加入内定のお知らせ [Nagatomo Yuto player (Meiji University) (is) next season's new signing]. FC Tokyo (in Japanese). 19 December 2007. Retrieved 31 January 2011.
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