Yuya Osako

is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for club Vissel Kobe.

Club career 1860 Munich On 6 January 2014, Osako joined German side TSV 1860 Munich for the second half of the 2014–2015 season. He scored on his debut, the opener in a 1–1 draw against Fortuna Düsseldorf. He finished the season with 6 goals in 15 appearances. In October 2016, he agreed a contract extension until summer 2020 with Köln. On 28 April 2018, he played as Köln lost 3–2 to SC Freiburg which confirmed their relegation from the Bundesliga.

Werder Bremen On 16 May 2018, it was announced that Osako would join Werder Bremen for the 2018–19 season. He scored on his debut on 19 August 2018, netting the first goal with a header in a 6–1 win against Wormatia Worms in the first round of the DFB-Pokal.

In February 2019, he was voted the 2018 Japanese Footballer of the Year.

Vissel Kobe Osako returned to Japan in August 2021, joining Vissel Kobe.

International career In May 2018, he was named in the Japan national team's preliminary squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. In the opening match against Colombia, he scored the second goal for Japan by a header, thus helping Japan become the first Asian team to beat a South American team in the World Cup history. He also appeared for Japan in the 2019 AFC Asian Cup hosted by the United Arab Emirates. He scored four goals to help them reach the final, where they eventually lost to Qatar, 3–1.

Career statistics Club

International

2024 Emperor's Cup: 2024 J1 100 Year Vision League: 2026

Japan EAFF East Asian Cup: 2013 AFC Asian Cup Runner-up: 2019

Individual Japanese Footballer of the Year: 2018, J.League Cup MVP: 2011 J.League Cup top scorer: 2012 J1 League Monthly MVP: August 2013, May 2023, July 2023 AFC Asian Cup Team of the Tournament: 2019 J.League Player of the Year: 2023 J.League Top Scorer: 2023 Japan Pro-Footballers Association awards: Best XI (2023)