Takeru Yamasaki

Takeru Yamasaki (born September 2, 1993) is a Japanese former professional Canadian football placekicker. He played college football in Japan for Osaka University and spent three seasons in the X-League before being signed by the BC Lions in the Canadian Football League (CFL) in 2021. He appeared in their first two games of the season before being released. He kicked four field goals with the Lions, becoming the first Japanese player to ever score in the CFL.

Early life and education Yamasaki was born in 1993 in Japan and played college football for Osaka University there. He originally was a running back and wide receiver, before later transitioning to placekicker. Teammates nicknamed him the "Japanese Kicking Monster."

Professional career After college Yamasaki spent two seasons in Japan's top amateur football league, the X-League. He returned to Japan the following year, playing again in the X-League. He won the 2020 league championship as a member of the Obic Seagulls.

In 2021, he was drafted in the third round (19th overall) of the 2021 CFL global draft by the BC Lions. He signed a contract with them on May 6. He finished the game 2-for-4 on field goals. Against the Calgary Stampeders the following week, Yamasaki went 2-for-4 again,