Wataru Endō

VfB Stuttgart On 13 August 2019, Endo was loaned out to German club VfB Stuttgart until the end of the season. In April 2020, Stuttgart signed Endo permanently. On 26 November 2020, Endō extended his contract with VfB Stuttgart until June 2024.

On 25 February 2022, Endo scored Stuttgart's only goal in a 2–1 loss to 1899 Hoffenheim. He scored again in the club's 3–2 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach. On 14 May 2022, Endo scored the winning goal in stoppage time of a 2–1 victory against 1. FC Köln to save Stuttgart from the relegation play-offs and secure their place in the 2022–23 Bundesliga.

Endo's final appearance for Stuttgart was in a DFB-Pokal first round match against TSG Balingen on 12 August 2023, where he scored the fourth goal of a 4–0 win.

Liverpool On 18 August 2023, Endo signed a four-year deal with Premier League club Liverpool for a fee of £16 million. He became just the second male Japanese footballer to play for the club after Takumi Minamino who joined the club in 2020. The following day, he made his Premier League and club debut against Bournemouth, coming on as a substitute in the 63rd minute. Endo was praised for his performance, only misplacing one pass. On 27 August, Endo made his first Liverpool and Premier League start in an away victory against Newcastle United. On 27 September, he made his first full Anfield appearance and contributed to Liverpool's victory in the third round of the EFL Cup against Leicester City, assisting Dominik Szoboszlai for the deciding goal. On 26 October 2023, Endo scored his first goal for Liverpool in a 5–1 win over Toulouse at Anfield in the UEFA Europa League.

On 3 December 2023, Endo scored his first Premier League goal, an equaliser just four minutes after being substituted on, in a 4–3 victory over Fulham. Afterwards, he started the next seven fixtures as Liverpool achieved victories against Sheffield United, Crystal Palace, West Ham United and Burnley. In recognition of his efforts, Endo was voted Liverpool's Player of the Month for December. He played the full 120 minutes of the 2024 EFL Cup final, in which Liverpool defeated Chelsea 1–0, earning Endo his first trophy with the club.

In the 2024–25 season, Endo made 20 appearances in the Premier League and was part of the Liverpool team that won the title that season. In doing so, Endo became only the fourth Japanese player to win the Premier League after Shinji Kagawa, Shinji Okazaki and Takumi Minamino.

International career

On 23 July 2015, Japan's coach Vahid Halilhodžić called Endo up to the squad for the upcoming 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup. On 2 August 2015, he made his international debut in the opening game of the competition in a 2–1 defeat to North Korea. He was named in Japan's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, although he did not play in any of their matches.

Endō was again in the Japan squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where the team reached the round of 16 before losing to Croatia on penalties.

Endo has scored four international goals. He was named captain of the national team in June 2023. In January 2024, he was named for the 2023 AFC Asian Cup final squads, and scored a late goal for Japan in the 2–1 loss against Iraq in their second group match.

On 15 May 2026, he was named in Japan's 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, he withdrew from the squad due to a foot injury that he had sustained in February and was replaced by Shuto Machino on 11 June. Following his withdrawal, Endo announced his retirement from international football.

Style of play Endo mainly plays as a defensive midfielder, but can also play as a centre-back. His ability to read the game has helped him gain success in the Bundesliga, and he has gained reputation as a prolific ball-winner. While playing in Germany, he topped the Bundesliga for most duels, and second for possession won and tackles.

The Premier League's official website states that at Liverpool, Endo's biggest role is picking up loose balls and recycling possession efficiently. He is also able to make active plays when needed, forcing turnovers and making tackles.

Personal life In June 2025, Endo launched a non-profit organisation called "SEKAI NI WATARU Project". The organisation's purpose is to provide a development program and scholarship (including study abroad) for youths aged 7–12, with a focus on developing critical and independent thinking. Endo's brother is a representative director of the organisation. The name of the project translates into "across the world" and is a pun on his name, as it shares the same reading as the word "to navigate".

Career statistics Club

International

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

Honours Shonan Bellmare J.League Division 2: 2014

Urawa Red Diamonds J.League Cup: 2016 Suruga Bank Championship: 2017 AFC Champions League Elite: 2017

Liverpool Premier League: 2024–25 EFL Cup: 2023–24; runner-up: 2024–25

Japan U23 AFC U-23 Asian Cup: 2016

Japan AFC Asian Cup runner-up: 2019

Individual J2 League Monthly MVP: April 2014 Japan Pro-Footballers Association Best XI: 2022, 2023, 2024 AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2023 IFFHS Asian Men's Team of the Year: 2024