Ken Iwao
Japanese footballer (born 1988)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ken Iwao (岩尾 憲, born 18 April 1988) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for J2 League club Tokushima Vortis.[2]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ken Iwao[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 18 April 1988[1] | ||
| Place of birth | Tatebayashi, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[1] | ||
| Position | Defensive midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Tokushima Vortis | ||
| Number | 6 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2000 | Tonan SC | ||
| 2001–2003 | Tatara Junior High School | ||
| 2004–2006 | Nishiora High School | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2007–2010 | Nippon Sport Science University | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2011–2015 | Shonan Bellmare | 40 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Mito HollyHock (loan) | 41 | (1) |
| 2016–2022 | Tokushima Vortis | 239 | (25) |
| 2022 | → Urawa Red Diamonds (loan) | 29 | (1) |
| 2023–2024 | Urawa Red Diamonds | 45 | (1) |
| 2024– | Tokushima Vortis | 13 | (0) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 1 January 2026 | |||
Primarily known for his time at Tokushima Vortis, where he is currently captain, Iwao has made over 400 J League appearances.
Career
Born in Tatebayashi City, Iwao joined Shonan Bellmare from Nippon Sport Science University for the 2011 season.[3]
On 7 December 2014, Iwao was announced at Mito HollyHock on a one year loan deal.[4]
On 28 December 2015, Iwao was announced at Tokushima Vortis on a permanent transfer.[5] At the start of the 2017 season, he was appointed as captain.[6] Iwao was named as "one to watch" ahead of the 2021 season.[7]
On 7 January 2022, Iwao was announced at Urawa Reds on a one year loan deal.[8]
On 17 November 2022, Iwao was announced at Urawa Reds on a permanent transfer.[9] On 6 May 2023, Iwao won the 2022 AFC Champions League.[10] In August 2023, Iwao won the 2023 July Meiji Yasuda J.LEAGUE KONAMI Monthly Best Goal award for his 38th minute goal against Sagan Tosu.[11] Iwao was also part of the Urawa Reds team called up for the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup.[1]
On 27 June 2024, Iwao was announced at Tokushima Vortis on a permanent transfer.[12] On 14 September 2024, he played his 400th match in the J League pyramid against Oita Trinita.[13] Iwao renewed his contract with the club ahead of the 2025 season.[14] On 4 February 2025, he was appointed as captain ahead of the 2025 season.[15]
Style of play
Iwao is described as having "outstanding" leadership and tactical knowledge of the game.[16]
Club statistics
| Club | Season | League | National cup | League cup | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Japan | League | Emperor's Cup | J. League Cup | Other | Total | |||||||
| Shonan Bellmare | 2011 | J2 League | 8 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 11 | 0 | ||
| 2012 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | ||||
| 2013 | J1 League | 7 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | 12 | 0 | ||
| 2014 | J2 League | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | |||
| Total | 40 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 48 | 0 | ||
| Mito Hollyhock (loan) | 2015 | J2 League | 41 | 1 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 43 | 1 | ||
| Tokushima Vortis | 2016 | J2 League | 39 | 1 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 40 | 1 | ||
| 2017 | 41 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 41 | 4 | ||||
| 2018 | 39 | 5 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 40 | 5 | ||||
| 2019 | 41 | 6 | 0 | 0 | – | 3[a] | 0 | 44 | 6 | |||
| 2020 | 42 | 6 | 2 | 1 | – | – | 44 | 7 | ||||
| 2021 | J1 League | 37 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | – | 39 | 4 | ||
| Total | 239 | 25 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 248 | 27 | ||
| Urawa Reds (loan) | 2022 | J1 League | 29 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 8[b][c] | 0 | 43 | 1 |
| Urawa Reds | 2023 | 33 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 11[d][e] | 0 | 53 | 1 | |
| 2024 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | ||
| Total | 40 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 60 | 1 | ||
| Career total | 389 | 28 | 17 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 442 | 30 | ||
- Appearances in the J1/J2 Play-offs
- 7 appearances in the AFC Champions League
- 8 appearances in the AFC Champions League
- 3 appearances in the FIFA Club World Cup
Honours
Club
- Urawa Red Diamonds