Kaito Taniguchi
Japanese footballer (born 1995)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Kaito Taniguchi (谷口 海斗, Taniguchi Kaito; born 7 September 1995) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for J1 League club Mito HollyHock.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 7 September 1995 | ||
| Place of birth | Kihoku, Mie, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.76 m (5 ft 9 in) | ||
| Position | Forward | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Mito HollyHock | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Miyama FC | |||
| –2010 | Kishu Esforco | ||
| 2011–2013 | Yokkaichi Chuo Kogyo High School | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2014–2017 | Gifu Keizai University | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2018–2019 | Iwate Grulla Morioka | 55 | (24) |
| 2020–2021 | Roasso Kumamoto | 34 | (18) |
| 2021–2026 | Albirex Niigata | 153 | (37) |
| 2026 | Central Coast Mariners | 7 | (0) |
| 2026– | Mito HollyHock | 0 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 4 April 2026 | |||
Career
Taniguchi attended Gifu Keizai University, where he served as a captain and was transformed from a centre-back to a forward.[1] He then joined Grulla Morioka for 2018 season.[2] Taniguchi was sidelined with injury during the early season.[3] He made his league debut against Fujieda MYFC on 20 May 2018.[4] Taniguchi scored his first league goal against Giravanz Kitakyushu on 10 June 2018.[5]
On 23 December 2019, Taniguchi was announced at Roasso Kumamoto.[6] He scored on his league debut on 27 June 2020 against Kagoshima United, scoring in the 15th and 64th minute.[7] During his time at the club, he scored 18 goals in 34 games, becoming the J3 top scorer in the 2020 season.[8]
On 30 December 2020, Taniguchi was announced at Albirex Niigata.[9] He made his league debut against Giravanz Kitakyushu on 27 February 2021.[10] Taniguchi scored his first league goal against Ehime on 24 April 2021, scoring in the 12th minute.[11] On 14 December 2021, it was announced that the club had extended his contract for the 2022 season.[12] On 10 December 2022, Taniguchi's contract was extended for the 2023 season.[13] On 31 December 2023, his contract was extended for the 2024 season.[14]
On 16 April 2024, Taniguchi won the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Monthly Best Goal award for February and March.[15]
Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | Total | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Iwate Grulla Morioka | 2018 | J3 League | 23 | 15 | 1 | 0 | — | 24 | 15 | |
| 2019 | J3 League | 32 | 9 | 2 | 1 | — | 34 | 10 | ||
| Total | 55 | 24 | 3 | 1 | — | 46 | 10 | |||
| Roasso Kumamoto | 2020 | J3 League | 34 | 18 | 0 | 0 | — | 34 | 18 | |
| Albirex Niigata | 2021 | J2 League | 42 | 13 | 1 | 0 | — | 43 | 13 | |
| 2022 | J2 League | 36 | 9 | 1 | 0 | — | 37 | 9 | ||
| 2023 | J1 League | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 21 | 4 | |
| Total | 94 | 25 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 101 | 26 | ||
| Career total | 183 | 67 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 193 | 69 | ||
