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Issey Nakajima-Farran

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Issey Nakajima-Farran
Nakajima-Farran in 2015
Personal information
Full name Issey Morgan Nakajima-Farran
Date of birth (1984-05-16) 16 May 1984 (age 40)[1]
Place of birth Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Winger, forward
Youth career
1993–1994 Verdy Kawasaki
1995–1997 Crystal Palace
2000–2002 Tokyo Verdy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003–2006 Albirex Niigata 0 (0)
2004–2006 → Albirex Niigata (S) (loan) 45 (26)
2006–2007 Vejle 44 (16)
2007–2009 Nordsjælland 46 (13)
2009–2011 Horsens 55 (11)
2011–2012 Brisbane Roar 23 (4)
2012–2013 AEK Larnaca 10 (1)
2013–2014 → Alki Larnaca (loan) 15 (3)
2014 Toronto FC 5 (2)
2014 Montreal Impact 13 (0)
2015 Suburense 2 (2)
2015–2017 Terengganu 61 (32)
2018 Pahang 10 (6)
2019 Pacific FC 17 (1)
2021 UE Tàrrega 12 (3)
2021–2023 Cubelles 39 (24)
Total 397 (144)
International career
2005 Singapore U21 1 (1)
2006–2016 Canada 38 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Issey Morgan Nakajima-Farran (Japanese: 中島ファラン一生; born 16 May 1984) is a Canadian former professional soccer player who played as a winger or forward.

Nakajima-Farran has played professionally in Japan, Singapore, Denmark, Australia, Cyprus, Canada, Malaysia, and Spain and represented Singapore at youth international level and Canada at senior international level.

Early life

[edit]

Nakajima-Farran was born in Calgary in Canada, to an English-Canadian father who was born in Rhodesia, and a Japanese mother.[3][1] He moved with his family from Calgary to Tokyo, Japan at age three, and then from Tokyo to London, England at age ten.[1][4]

Nakajima-Farran began playing at youth level with Verdy Kawasaki.[5] After moving to England, he joined the Crystal Palace Academy.[4] At age 16, he returned to Japan and signed a youth contract with Tokyo Verdy (which re-branded from Verdy Kawasaki, his former youth club).[3]

Club career

[edit]

Albirex Niigata

[edit]

In 2003, Nakajima-Farran began his professional soccer career after signing with J2 League's Albirex Niigata.[6]

In 2024, he was loaned to their Singaporean satellite club Albirex Niigata Singapore in the S.League, playing for two seasons.[5][6] In 2005, he was named the S.League Young Player of the Year.[5]

Denmark

[edit]

In the winter transfer window of 2006, Nakajima-Farran had trials with English sides Millwall[citation needed], Portsmouth for a month and Reading for a couple of days.[6]

In the spring of 2006, he signed with Danish First Division team Vejle Boldklub.[citation needed] He helped the club win the championship and gain promotion to the top league in the Danish football system, the Superliga.[7] In February 2007, he extended his contract until the summer of 2009.[7]

In July 2007, he signed with Danish Superliga side FC Nordsjælland on a four-year contract.[8] On 17 July 2007, he made his debut for the club and scored his first goal in a 1-0 victory over FC Copenhagen.[9]

In the summer of 2009, Nakajima-Frarran went on a trial with Eredivisie team De Graafschap.[10] In September 2009, he signed with second tier side AC Horsens.[10] In his first season, he helped the club earn promotion to the first tier.[citation needed] In August 2011, he agreed to a mutual termination of the remainder of his contract.[11][12]

Australia

[edit]

In late August 2011, Nakajima-Farran signed a one-year contract contract with A-League club Brisbane Roar.[13] He scored his first goal for Brisbane and set up another a 7–1 victory over Adelaide United on 28 October 2011.[14] In November 2011, he scored two goals in a 4-0 victory over Perth Glory, earning Man of the Match honours, with the victory setting set a new Australian sports team record of 36 unbeaten games, which dated back to the previous season.[15]

Cyprus

[edit]

In July 2012, Nakajima-Farran signed a two-year deal with Cypriot First Division side AEK Larnaca.[16] In January 2013, he was loaned to Alki Larnaca for the remainder of the 2012-13 season.[citation needed]

First stint in Canada

[edit]

In January 2014, Nakajima-Farran went on trial with Canadian club Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.[17] On 28 March 2014, he officially signed a contract with the club.[18] He scored his first goal for Toronto FC on 5 April against the Columbus Crew, in a 2–0 away victory.[19]

On 16 May 2014, Nakajima-Farran was traded to the Montreal Impact along with allocation money in exchange for Collen Warner.[20] At the end of the 2024 season, he was waived and released by the club.[21][22]

Malaysia

[edit]

Following his release from MLS, Nakajima-Farran joined CF Suburense in the Segona Catalana, the sixth tier of the Spanish football league system to stay fit and be close to his family.[citation needed]

In April 2015, he signed with Malaysia Super League club Terengganu.[23] After his first season, the club was relegated to the second tier Malaysia Premier League and the club was planning to release him, but he chose to remain with the club and helped them to secure promotion back to the first tier with a second place finish in 2017.[24] In November 2017, he chose to depart the club.[24]

In May 2018, he signed with Pahang.[25]

Second stint in Canada

[edit]
Nakajima-Farran in 2019 with Pacific FC

In March 2019, Nakajima-Farran signed with Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC, ahead of their inaugural season.[4] He made his debut on 28 April against the HFX Wanderers, in a substitute appearance.[26] He scored his first goal on 1 July against Cavalry FC on a free kick.[27]

In January 2020, he joined CCB LFC United of the Vancouver Metro Soccer League club CCB LFC United at the senior amateur level.[28]

Spain

[edit]

In March 2021, he signed for Spanish club UE Tàrrega in the fifth tier Primera Catalana.[29]

He joined CF Cubelles in the seventh tier Segona Catalana later in 2021, after finishing the 2020-21 season with Tàrrega.[30] In July 2022, he extended his contract for another season.[31]

In April 2023, he retired from playing professionally.[32]

In March 2024, he began playing in the seven-a-side Kings League with Rayo de Barcelona.[33]

International career

[edit]

Nakajima-Farran holds Canadian, Japanese, and British citizenship.[34] His father was born in the former Rhodesia and is English-Canadian, his mother was born in Japan.[3][35]

Singapore

[edit]

In 2005, Nakajima-Farran was invited to play a match with the Singapore U21 national team against Japan U23, earning man of the match honours after scoring a goal and assisting another in a 2-2, before defeating Japan in penalty kicks, with Nakajima-Farran converting his kick.[3][6] He had hoped the performance could lead to a call-up to Japan, however, but the Japanese coach stated he was not interested in calling him up.[36] There was interest in him becoming a full international for Singapore, with him being eligible for a Singaporean passport after having played in the country for two years.[6][37]

Canada

[edit]

In November 2006, Nakajima-Farran was called up to Canada for the first time ahead of a friendly against Hungary.[38] He made his debut in the match on 12 November 2016.[6] He scored his first international goal on 15 June 2008 in a World Cup qualification match against St. Vincent and the Grenadines.[39] He earned a total of 38 caps for Canada and played at three editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup (2007, 2009, and 2013) and was named an alternate for the 2011 edition.[1]

Personal life

[edit]

He is the brother of Paris Nakajima-Farran, who was also a professional player.[34]

Nakajima-Farran is also an artist, having taken up painting at age 13 when he broke his ankle, and has sold over two dozen paintings.[34]

After his retirement from playing, he bought a yacht to live on in Barcelona, after also previously living on a boat in Vancouver Island while playing for Pacific FC in 2019.[35]

Career statistics

[edit]

Club

[edit]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental[a] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Nordsjælland 2008–09[40] Danish Superliga 16 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 19 1
Horsens 2010–11[40] Danish Superliga 28 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 4
2011–12[40] Danish Superliga 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
Total 31 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 5
Brisbane Roar 2011–12[40] A-League 23 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 4
AEK 2012–13[40] Cypriot First Division 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1
Alki (loan) 2012–13[40] Cypriot First Division 15 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 17 3
Toronto FC 2014[40] Major League Soccer 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 7 2
Montreal Impact 2014[40] Major League Soccer 13 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 15 0
Terengganu 2015 Malaysia Super League 12 9 2 1 5 3 — 19 13
2016[40] Malaysia Super League 18 7 0 0 0 0 — 18 7
2017 Malaysia Premier League 18 8 5 1 3 2 — 26 11
Total 48 24 7 2 8 5 0 0 63 31
Pahang 2018[40] Malaysia Super League 10 6 2 0 0 0 — 12 6
Pacific FC 2019[40] Canadian Premier League 18 1 2 0 0 0 — 20 1
Tàrrega 2020–21[41] Primera Catalana 12 3 – – — 12 3
Cubelles 2021–22[41] Segona Catalana 23 15 – – — 23 15
2022–23[41] Segona Catalana 16 9 – – — 16 9
Total 39 24 0 0 0 0 0 0 39 24
Career total 240 74 15 2 8 5 5 0 268 81
  1. ^ Includes UEFA Cup and CONCACAF Champions League.

International

[edit]
Appearances and goals by national team and year[1]
National team Year Apps Goals
Canada 2006 1 0
2007 7 0
2008 7 1
2009 3 0
2010 4 0
2011 1 0
2013 7 0
2014 3 0
2015 4 0
2016 1 0
Total 38 1
Scores and results list Canada's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nakajima-Farran goal.
No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
List of international goals scored by Issey Nakajima-Farran
1 20 June 2008 Arnos Vale Stadium, Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 1–0 3–0 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

[edit]

Albirex Niigata

Vejle Boldklub

AC Horsens

Brisbane Roar

Montreal Impact

  • Canadian Championship: 2014

Individual

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Issey Nakajima-Farran at the Canadian Soccer Association
  2. ^ "Issey Nakajima-Farran". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  3. ^ a b c d Chan, Oliver (5 August 2015). "There and back again: Issey Nakajima-Farran's football journey". FourFourTwo. Archived from the original on 24 September 2015.
  4. ^ a b c "Pacific FC adds globe-trotting Canadian international Issey Nakajima-Farran". Canadian Premier League. 5 March 2019.
  5. ^ a b c Galati, Luke (29 November 2014). "Issey Nakajima-Farran's wild ride: becoming a professional soccer player". Nikkei Voice.
  6. ^ a b c d e f Bottjer, Steve (7 October 2009). "Red Nation Interview Series: Issey Nakajima-Farran". Red Nation.
  7. ^ a b Orry, Jesper (7 February 2007). "Vejle forlænger aftalen med Issey Nakajima-Farran" [Vejle extends the agreement with Issey Nakajima-Farran]. JydskeVestkysten (in Danish).
  8. ^ "Vejle sælger Nakajima-Farran til FCN" [Vejle sells Nakajima-Farran to FCN]. Ekstra Bladet (in Danish). 7 July 2007.
  9. ^ "Farran kom, så og sejrede" [Farran came, saw and conquered]. B.T. 18 July 2007.
  10. ^ a b "Officielt: Horsens henter Issey Farran" [Official: Horsens sign Issey Farran]. Bold (in Danish). 2 September 2009.
  11. ^ "AC Horsens ophæver kontrakten med Issey Nakajima-Farran" [AC Horsens cancels the contract with Issey Nakajima-Farran]. AC Horsens (in Danish). 20 August 2011.
  12. ^ Hoffskov, Ole (20 August 2011). "Horsens siger farvel til Farran" [Horsens says goodbye to Farran]. Tipsbladet (in Danish).
  13. ^ "Canadian midfielder Nakajima-Farran signs with A-League club". CBC Sports. 30 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Besart barrage burries Reds". Brisbane Roar FC. 28 October 2011.
  15. ^ Dasey, Jason (19 August 2015). "Former Brisbane Roar winger Issey Nakajima-Farran makes big impact in Malaysia". The Sydney Morning Herald .
  16. ^ "Παίκτης της ΑΕΚ ο Issey Nakajima-Farran" [AEK player Issey Nakajima-Farran] (in Greek). 6 July 2012.
  17. ^ Rowaan, Dave (23 January 2014). "Issey Nakajima-Farran to join Toronto FC on trial". Waking the Red. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  18. ^ "Toronto FC signs Canadian midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran". CBC Sports. 28 March 2014.
  19. ^ "Toronto Acquires Midfielder Collen Warner". Toronto FC. 16 May 2014.
  20. ^ Benzaza (16 May 2016). "Collen Warner traded to Toronto FC for Issey Nakajima-Farranfirst=Sofiane". Mount Royal Soccer.
  21. ^ "L'Impact libère le milieu de terrain Issey Nakajima-Farran" [Impact releases midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran]. La Presse (in French). 16 January 2015.
  22. ^ "Montreal Impact announce release of Canadian international midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran". Major League Soccer. 15 January 2015.
  23. ^ D'Onofrio, Marco (1 April 2015). "Canadian International Issey Nakajima-Farran Signs With Terengganu FC". MLS Multiplex. Archived from the original on 22 September 2018.
  24. ^ a b Zainal, Zulhilmi (2 November 2017). "Terengganu part ways with star import and two more foreign players". Sporting News.
  25. ^ Fai, Ooi Kin (9 May 2018). "Pahang moved to sign Issey and Amutu". Goal. Archived from the original on 22 July 2024.
  26. ^ Bedakian, Armen (28 April 2019). "Highlights:Pacific FC earns historic 1st win in CPL". Canadian Premier League.
  27. ^ Strasser, Scott (1 July 2019). "Pacific FC bookend CPL spring season with victories after fiery Canada Day win over champs Cavalry FC". Away from the Numbers.
  28. ^ "Welcome to the darkside @11issey, looking forward to having you join up with the squad this week". BB5 United. 18 January 2020.
  29. ^ Gasull Cairó, Francesc (17 March 2021). "Un internacional canadenc, a la UE Tàrrega" [A Canadian international, in the EU Tàrrega]. Nova Tàrrega (in Catalan).
  30. ^ "El primer equip del C.F. Cubelles tornarà a competir aquest dissabte" [The first team of CF Cubelles will compete again this Saturday]. Ràdio Cubelles (in Catalan). 24 March 2021.
  31. ^ "Issey Nakajima seguirà una temporada més al C.F. Cubelles" [Issey Nakajima will continue one more season at CF Cubelles]. Ràdio Cubelles (in Catalan). 4 July 2022.
  32. ^ "Former Canada player Issey Nakajima-Farran retires from professional football". Canadian Soccer Association. 17 April 2023.
  33. ^ Fontana, Ian (9 March 2024). "Tremendo jugador 13 para el Rayo de Barcelona" [Tremendous 13th player for Rayo de Barcelona]. Mundo Kings League (in Spanish).
  34. ^ a b c Davidson, Neil (3 April 2014). "New TFC midfielder enjoying pro soccer odyssey". CP24.
  35. ^ a b Davidson, Neil (6 June 2023). "Former Canadian international plans next step from aboard his floating home in Spain". Times Colonist.
  36. ^ "Q and A with Issey Nakajima-Farran". Brisbane Roar FC. 25 October 2011.
  37. ^ Dalley, Jason (23 August 2015). "Ex-Palace youth side winger makes waves anew". Bangkok Post.
  38. ^ "Radzinski to captain Canada against Hungary in soccer friendly". Winnipeg Free Press. 14 November 2006.
  39. ^ "Former Canada player Issey Nakajima=Farran retires from professional football". Canadian Soccer Association. 17 April 2023.
  40. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k Issey Nakajima-Farran at Soccerway
  41. ^ a b c "Issey Nakajima-Farran statistics". La Preferente (in Spanish).
[edit]
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