Hayao Kawabe

is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Sanfrecce Hiroshima and the Japan national team.

Club career Sanfrecce Hiroshima Kawabe joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2008, alongside other products of the club's academy. After his debut in 2012, he was offered a full pro contract by Sanfrecce. Despite this achievement, he found too few minutes on the pitch and decided to go to Júbilo Iwata on loan. In January 2018, he came back to Sanfrecce after a three-years loan to Jubilo.

Grasshopper Club Zürich and Wolverhampton Wanderers

On 8 July 2021, he signed a 3-year contract with Grasshoppers in the Swiss Super League. Due to delays with his work permit, he only made his debut on 7 August 2021 against Lausanne-Sport, being named in the starting lineup and playing 60 minutes. He scored his first goal in a 3-1 away victory over FC Sion on 31 October 2021, scoring the opener in the 32nd minute

On 5 January 2022, Kawabe joined Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers on a three-and-a-half-year deal, with the club intending on loaning him back to Grasshoppers in the near future. He returned to Grasshoppers on 19 January 2022 and will remain until the end of the 2022–2023 season. He finished the season at Grasshoppers with 34 appearances, playing every game since gaining eligibility. In his first season in Europe, he scored seven goals and supplied three assists. In the first game of the 2022–23 season, he scored both goals in a 2-1 home win against FC Lugano. As a result, he was voted "SFL Player of the Round" by the viewers from among five nominees.

On 25 May 2023, Grasshoppers announced that Kawabe would leave the club at the end of the season.

Standard Liège

On 7 July 2023, he permanently joined Standard Liège for a reported fee of £1.3 million.

Return to Sanfrecce Hiroshima On 2 August 2024, Kawabe returned to Sanfrecce Hiroshima.

International career He made his debut for Japan national football team on 25 March 2021 in a friendly against South Korea. On 7 June 2021, he shot his first international goal, the final goal in a 4-1 victory over Tajikistan in the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification.

Career statistics Club

International goals No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition 1. 7 June 2021 Panasonic Stadium Suita, Suita, Japan 4–1 4–1 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours Sanfrecce Hiroshima J.League Cup: 2025 Japanese Super Cup: 2025

Japan EAFF Championship: 2025