Keito Nakamura

is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for Ligue 1 club Lyon and the Japan national team. He plays either as a left winger or a forward.

Club career

Gamba Osaka Nakamura joined Gamba Osaka from Kantō Soccer League side Mitsubishi Yowa ahead of the 2018 J1 League season. He made his senior debut at the age of 17 on 24 February 2018 in a 3–2 home defeat by Nagoya Grampus in which replaced Hwang Ui-jo in the 69th minute and 10 minutes later crossed for Shun Nagasawa to head home and make the score 2–2.

In total he played 17 J1 League games during his debut campaign and netted 1 goal, the winner in a 2–1 win over V-Varen Nagasaki on 24 November. He also scored once in 7 J.League Cup games and made one substitute appearance in the Emperor's Cup, a home defeat to Kwansei Gakuin University.

LASK On 11 August 2021, he signed a three-year contract with Austrian club LASK.

Reims On 10 August 2023, it was announced that he would permanently transfer to Stade Reims of France's Ligue 1. On 12 August, he made his Ligue 1 debut in the opening game against Olympique de Marseille, coming on as a substitute in the 15th minute of the second half. On 26 September, he scored his first goal in Ligue 1 in Round 6 against Lille OSC.

International career Nakamura has represented Japan at Under-15, Under-16 and Under-17 level playing in both the AFC Under-16 Championship in 2016, and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup in which he netted 4 times in 4 games before Japan were eliminated by England at the last-16 stage. On 15 June, he came on as a substitute from the start of the second half against El Salvador and scored his first goal for the national team. On 12 September, he made his first start for the national team against Turkey and scored two goals.

In January 2024, he was named for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final squads alongside Reims teammate, Junya Itō.

On 15 May 2026, Nakamura was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. On 14 June, Nakamura scored his first World Cup goal with a right-footed equalizer in the 57th minute, bringing Japan level at 1–1 with the Netherlands in an eventual 2–2 draw in Japan's World Cup opener.

Style of play Nakamura is a wide player known for his pace, agility, and direct attacking style. Comfortable as a wing-back or winger, he is noted for his dribbling ability, chance creation, and willingness to take on defenders.

Career statistics Club

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Nakamura goal.

Individual Japan Pro-Footballers Association awards: Best XI (2024)