Sai van Wermeskerken

is a professional footballer who plays as a right-back, most recently for Kawasaki Frontale. Born in the Netherlands, he is a former youth international for Japan.

Club career

Early career Van Wermeskerken was born in Maastricht, Netherlands, to a Dutch father and a Japanese mother. He moved to Japan at the age of 2 due to his father's work. The family settled in Yamanashi Prefecture. Van Wermeskerken started his career at Yatsugatake Hokuto at age eight, before joining Ventforet Kofu youth academy in 2008.

Dordrecht After several years in the Kofu youth system, van Wermeskerken was rewarded with a contract by Dordrecht in July 2013. He made his first appearance for Dordrecht on 10 May 2015, in the Eredivisie match against Twente.

SC Cambuur On 21 August 2017, van Wermeskerken signed for SC Cambuur.

PEC Zwolle On 9 July 2019, van Wermeskerken signed a two-year deal for Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle on a free transfer.

Return to Cambuur On 10 August 2022, van Wermeskerken returned to Cambuur for one season.

NEC Nijmegen On 27 October 2023, van Wermeskerken joined Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen, signing a contract until the end of the 2023–24 season.

Kawasaki Frontale On 21 January 2024, NEC announced van Wermeskerken's transfer to Japanese club Kawasaki Frontale. He made a substitute appearance in the 2025 AFC Champions League Elite final in a 2–0 defeat to Al-Ahli, as well as starting in the semi-final against an Al Nassr side including Cristiano Ronaldo.

In December 2025, van Wermeskerken's contract expired and he left the club.

International career On 14 March 2016, Sai received his first call-up to the Japan national under-23 football team for the friendly match against Mexico.

Honours Club Kawasaki Frontale Japanese Super Cup: 2024