Ryo Fujii (Japanese: 藤井 竜; born 7 August 1996) is a Hong Kong-born Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Cambodian Premier League club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ryo Fujii | ||
| Date of birth | 7 August 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Hong Kong | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng | ||
| Number | 28 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2010–2014 | South High School | ||
| 2011–2012 | Chivas USA | ||
| 2013–2014 | LA Galaxy | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014 | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos | 19 | (0) |
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2017 | LA Galaxy II | 58 | (4) |
| 2018 | Nyköpings BIS | 28 | (0) |
| 2020 | Global | 0 | (0) |
| 2021–2022 | Kaya–Iloilo | 10 | (1) |
| 2023 | PSIS Semarang | 15 | (0) |
| 2023– | Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng | 23 | (3) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 April 2024 | |||
Early life and education edit
Fujii was born 7 August 1996 in Hong Kong to a Japanese father and a Korean mother.[2][3][4][5] At a young age, Fujii and family relocated to Torrance, California, where he was raised.[3][4] Fujii attended South High School and played for the school's varsity team for all 4 years.[6] 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.[6][7][8]
With his background, Fujii was considered a top collegiate soccer prospect.[9][10] Fujii elected to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara after being recruited by head coach Tim Vom Steeg.[3][11] While there, he played college soccer as a member of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team.[12] He appeared in 19 games for the Gauchos and added 2 assists.[12] He was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team following the conclusion of the season.[2][3]
Club career edit
LA Galaxy edit
In February 2015, Fujii turned professional by signing with LA Galaxy II of the United Soccer League.[13][14] 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 that provided additional financial resources for schooling.[3][13][15][16] 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.[4] During his first professional season, he made twelve appearances for LA Galaxy II with 1 assist.[17]
Nyköpings BIS edit
On 1 March 2018, Fujii joined Nyköpings BIS in Ettan Fotboll, the Swedish third tier.[18]
Global F.C. edit
On 25 February 2020, Fujii reportedly signed a deal with the Philippines Football League club Global but the club was banned by the Philippine Football Federation before the season could start.[19]
Kaya F.C.–Iloilo edit
Philippines Football League club Kaya–Iloilo announced on 8 April 2021 that they have signed in Fujii.[5]
PSIS Semarang edit
After 1 month trial, Ryo Fujii was officially signed by PSIS Semarang to face the second round of 2022–23 Liga 1.[20] Fujii made his professional debut on 16 January 2023 in a match against RANS Nusantara at the Pakansari Stadium, Bogor.[21]
References edit
- ^ "Ryo Fujii: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
- ^ a b "Getting 2 Know Galaxy II: Midfielder Ryo Fujii". LA Galaxy. September 2, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ a b c Sánchez-Tello, George B.; Romero, José Antonio (August 15, 2016). "Midfield with Ryo Fujii". Hyphen. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ a b "Kaya FC-Iloilo Signs Ryo Fujii". Kaya F.C. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ a b "#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.
- ^ "Chivas USA U-15/16 (2011-2012)". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "LA Galaxy U-17/18 (2013-2014)". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Ryo Fujii Top Drawer Soccer player profile". www.TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Class of 2014 (High School Seniors)". www.CollegeSoccerNews.com. December 5, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "UCSB Inks Another Nationally Ranked Player on Day Two of NLI Signings". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. February 6, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ a b "UC Santa Barbara: Lineup". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ a b "LA Galaxy II sign Galaxy Academy product Ryo Fujii". LA Galaxy. February 10, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ Steffen, Sean (February 12, 2015). "Ryo Fujii signs with Galaxy II on a game-changing contract". www.LAGConfidential.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Salazar, Jo-Ryan (March 19, 2015). "Meet Ryo Fujii: The Next Up-And-Comer For LA Galaxy II". TheViewFromAvalon.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "2015 Stats". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
- ^ "Ryo Fujii klar för Nyköpings BIS". svenskalag.se. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
- ^ Guardian, Daily (2020-12-18). "Global FC wage issues in PFL reaches FIFA". Daily Guardian. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
- ^ stafadmin (2023-01-13). "Setelah 1 Bulan Trial, Ryo Fujii Resmi Dikontrak PSIS". PSIS Semarang (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-01-13.
- ^ "RANS Nusantara vs. PSIS Semarang - 16 January 2023 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
