Kaito Taniguchi
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| 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 | Central Coast Mariners | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| 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) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 4 April 2026 | |||
Kaito Taniguchi (谷口 海斗, Taniguchi Kaito; born 7 September 1995) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for A-League Men club Central Coast Mariners.
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]
