Koki Mizuno
Mizuno playing for Celtic in 2009 |
| Personal information |
| Full name |
Koki Mizuno |
| Date of birth |
6 September 1985 (1985-09-06) (age 26) |
| Place of birth |
Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Japan |
| Height |
1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) |
| Playing position |
Right winger |
| Club information |
| Current club |
Kashiwa Reysol |
| Number |
29 |
| Youth career |
| 2002–2004 |
Shimizu Commercial High School |
| Senior career* |
| Years |
Team |
Apps† |
(Gls)† |
| 2004–2007 |
JEF United |
86 |
(13) |
| 2008–2010 |
Celtic |
11 |
(1) |
| 2010– |
Kashiwa Reysol |
11 |
(0) |
| National team‡ |
| 2007 |
Japan |
4 |
(0) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 February 2012.
† Appearances (Goals).
‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 7 December 2010 |
Koki Mizuno (水野 晃樹, Mizuno Kōki?, born 6 September 1985 in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka) is a Japanese footballer, who currently plays as a midfielder for Kashiwa Reysol.[1]
He is the cousin of Keita Suzuki,[2] also a footballer.
[edit] Club career
[edit] JEF United
After graduating from Shimizu Commercial High School, Mizuno joined JEF United in 2004. He was the MVP of the 2006 J. League Cup competition.[3]
[edit] Celtic
Celtic's interest was confirmed by chief executive Peter Lawwell in January 2008 who explained that the club planned on signing Mizuno, if he was granted a work permit.[4]
After initially being denied a permit, Gordon Strachan took part in an appeal hearing in which he described his other Japanese import Shunsuke Nakamura as a "flawless performer" and "The best player I have ever worked with, and that includes (Kenny) Dalglish and (Gary) McAllister", and claimed that Mizuno was a young player of immense talent and potential. The appeal was successful [5] and Celtic completed the signing of Koki Mizuno on 29 January 2008. On 18 July 2008, Mizuno made his debut in a 2–0 pre-season friendly win over Southampton. On 8 November, he made his league debut for Celtic in a 2–0 victory over Motherwell, replacing Scott McDonald in the 88th minute and, on 21 December 2008, he made his first start in a game against Falkirk He scored his first goal for Celtic in the 90th minute of the match, assisted by a pass from Shunsuke Nakamura.[6] On 1 July 2010, Mizuno was released by Celtic.[7]
[edit] Kashiwa Reysol
In the summer of 2010, Mizuno signed for J. League Division 2 side Kashiwa Reysol. In his first game for Kashiwa, he suffered a knee ligament injury which sidelined him for the rest of the 2010 season.
[edit] International career
Mizuno was a member of the Japan team for 2005 World Youth Championship where he scored a goal against Benin.[8] His first cap as a full international came when he substituted Naohiro Takahara on 24 March 2007 in a friendly against Peru. He was a member of the Japan team for 2007 AFC Asian Cup and played two games as a substitute.[9]
[edit] Career statistics
[10]
[edit] Honours
- JEF United
- Celtic
- Individual
[edit] References
[edit] External links
