Motohiko Nakajima
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| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Motohiko Nakajima | ||
| Date of birth | April 18, 1999 | ||
| Place of birth | Osaka, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) | ||
| Position | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Cerezo Osaka | ||
| Number | 13 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| –2007 | Suita Minami FC | ||
| 2008–2017 | Cerezo Osaka | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2016– | Cerezo Osaka | 39 | (7) |
| 2016–2019 | → Cerezo Osaka U-23 (loan) | 78 | (19) |
| 2020-2021 | → Albirex Niigata (loan) | 35 | (5) |
| 2022–2024 | → Vegalta Sendai (loan) | 105 | (25) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 15 September 2025 | |||
Motohiko Nakajima (中島 元彦, Motohiko Nakajima; born April 18, 1999) is a Japanese football player who plays for Cerezo Osaka.[1]
Cerezo Osaka
On 29 September 2017, Nakajima was promoted to the first team.[2] On June 6 2020, it was announced that he would return to Cerezo Osaka for the 2021 season.[3] He made his league debut against Yokohama F. Marinos on 6 April 2021.[4] Nakajima scored his first league goal and his first goal in the J1 League against Avispa Fukuoka on 10 April 2021.[5]
Cerezo Osaka U-23
He made his league debut in J3 League v Kagoshima United FC.[6][7] On 2 December 2018, during the Osaka derby, Nakajima scored and assisted in a 2-0 win.[8]
Loan to Albirex Niigata
On 20 July 2020, Nakajima joined Albirex Niigata.[9] He made his league debut against Mito HollyHock on 25 July 2020.[10] Nakajima scored his first league goal against Machida Zelvia on 4 October 2020, scoring in the 45th+1st minute.[11]
Loan to Vegalta Sendai
On 6 April 2022, Nakajima was announced at Vegalta Sendai.[12] He made his league debut against Renofa Yamaguchi on 10 April 2022.[13] Nakajima scored his first league goal against Zweigen Kanazawa on 15 May 2022, scoring in the 38th minute.[14]
Nakajima won the 2022 MVP of the Year award, as chosen by the supporters.[15]
Nakajima won the May 2024 Meiji Yasuda J2 League MVP award.[16]
International career
In February 2017, Nakajima was selected for the Japan U18s tour of Spain.[17]
Style of play
Nakajima can play as a midfielder or forward, and has been praised for being able to strike a free kick with either foot well.[18]
Club statistics
Updated to 14 September 2022.[19]
| Club | Season | League | National Cup | League Cup | Continental | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Cerezo Osaka U-23 | 2016 | J3 League | 3 | 0 | - | - | - | - | — | 3 | 0 | |
| 2017 | 10 | 3 | - | - | - | - | — | 10 | 3 | |||
| 2018 | 31 | 7 | - | - | - | - | — | 31 | 7 | |||
| 2019 | 34 | 9 | - | - | - | - | — | 34 | 9 | |||
| Total | 78 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 78 | 19 | ||
| Albirex Niigata (loan) | 2020 | J2 League | 35 | 5 | - | - | - | - | — | 35 | 5 | |
| Cerezo Osaka | 2021 | J1 League | 12 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 6 | 2 |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | ー | 1 | 0 | |||
| Total | 12 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 23 | 2 | ||
| Vegalta Sendai (loan) | 2022 | J2 League | 33 | 4 | 1 | 0 | - | - | — | 34 | 4 | |
| Career total | 158 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 170 | 30 | ||