Ryuho Kikuchi
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 Ryuho Kikuchi representing Japan U20 in 2017. | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Ryuho Kikuchi | ||
| Date of birth | 9 December 1996 | ||
| Place of birth | Kamaishi, Iwate, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) | ||
| Position | Centre back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Machida Zelvia | ||
| Number | 4 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2009–2011 | FC Kanaishi | ||
| 2012–2014 | Aomori Yamada High School | ||
| College career | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2018 | Osaka University H&SS | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2019 | Renofa Yamaguchi | 35 | (3) |
| 2020–2024 | Vissel Kobe | 97 | (11) |
| 2025– | Machida Zelvia | 9 | (2) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 13 September 2025 | |||
Ryuho Kikuchi (菊池 流帆, Kikuchi Ryūho; born 9 December 1996) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Machida Zelvia.
During his third year at Aomori Yamada High School, Kikuchi contributed to the team's top four position in the Inter-High School Championships and was selected as the tournament's outstanding player. He started out as a midfielder, but was converted to a defender. Kikuchi later went on to join Osaka University H&SS on 19 November 2017.[1][2] During his time at Osaka University H&SS, he was selected in the 2017 Summer Universiade squad, and was part of the team that defeated France in the final.[3]
Career
On 9 December 2018, Kikuchi joined Renofa Yamaguchi.[4]
On 24 December 2019, Kikuchi was announced at Vissel Kobe.[5] During the 2021 season, he held the record for most duels won, with over 70% of duels won as of 26 May 2021.[6] At the end of the season, Kikuchi was announced as one of the 31 J.League Outstanding Player Award winners.[7] On 19 February 2022, he was not selected in the Kobe squad due to poor health.[8] He was injured on 16 July 2022 against Kashima Antlers, and would spend eight weeks out with an injury to the posterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.[9] Kikuchi was further injured on 4 March 2023 against Gamba Osaka, and suffered an ACL injury that would keep him out for eight months.[10] Vissel Kobe would go on to win the 2023 J1 League.[11] From 2024, he changed his jersey number to 81, to represent his hard work from zero after his injury.[12] Vissel Kobe would go on to win the 2024 J1 League.[13]
On 4 January 2025, Kikuchi was announced at Machida Zelvia.[14]
Style of play
Personal life
Whilst at university, Kikuchi started a blog, which received responses from fellow footballers Shoto Suzuki, Shunya Yoneda and Seiya Nakano.[17] He is known by the nickname David Ryuho, as he respects David Luiz.[18]
