Takuma Asano


Takuma Asano is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Serbian club Partizan and the Japan national team.

Club career

Sanfrecce Hiroshima

After attending Yokkaichi Chuo Technical High School, Asano joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima at the age of 18 in January 2013. He went on to win the J1 League in his debut season, making one appearance in the process.
Asano went on to win the Japanese Super Cup in 2014, while starting to break into the squad for the J1 League. He helped the side lift the league title for a second time in 2015, this time adding nine goals in 34 appearances. Due to his performances, Asano was named the J1 League Rookie of the Year.

Arsenal

On 3 July 2016, Asano was announced as Arsenal's second signing of the season, subject to a medical and international clearance. Manager Arsène Wenger described him as "a talented young striker and very much one for the future". However, Asano was refused a work permit to play in the Premier League.

Loan to VfB Stuttgart

On 26 August 2016, Asano was loaned out to VfB Stuttgart until the end of the season with an option for a further year. He made his debut in a 2–1 home loss to 1. FC Heidenheim two weeks later. On 9 April 2017, Asano scored a brace to give his side a 2–0 win over Karlsruher SC. He helped the team win the Zweite Bundesliga and take promotion to the top flight.
On 22 June 2017, the loan deal with Stuttgart was extended for another season.

Loan to Hannover 96

On 23 May 2018, Asano was sent on season-long loan to Bundesliga side Hannover 96.

Partizan

On 1 August 2019, Asano completed his move to Serbian club Partizan. He signed a three-year contract and was given the number 11 shirt, while becoming the first Japanese player in club history.
Asano scored on his debut in an eventual 3–1 home win over Turkish club Yeni Malatyaspor in the first leg of the Europa League third qualifying round.

International career

Youth

At youth level, Asano won a gold medal at the 2016 AFC U-23 Championship, scoring a brace against South Korea to give his side a 3–2 win in the final. He also represented Japan at the 2016 Summer Olympics, netting two goals in the tournament, as the team exited in the group stage.

Senior

On 7 May 2015, Asano was invited by Japan manager Vahid Halilhodžić for a two-day training camp. He was subsequently called up to the team for the upcoming 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup. Asano scored his first goal for Samurai Blue in a 7–2 win over Bulgaria at the 2016 Kirin Cup.
In March 2018, Halilhodžić left out Asano and Yosuke Ideguchi for friendly matches with Mali and Ukraine in preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup due to lack of playing time at club level, commenting, "It makes me sad that Asano and Ideguchi are not playing. They were the heroes of our qualifying game against Australia. They haven't been chosen this time, and if things continue the way they are, there is a chance that they won't be chosen for the World Cup". In May, Asano was named in Japan's preliminary squad for the World Cup, but failed to make the final cut.

Statistics

Club

International

International goals

No.DateVenueOpponentScoreResultCompetition
13 June 2016Toyota Stadium, Toyota, Japan7–27–22016 Kirin Cup
26 September 2016Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand2–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
331 August 2017Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan1–02–02018 FIFA World Cup qualification
415 October 2019Pamir Stadium, Dushanbe, Tajikistan3–03–02022 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Club

;Sanfrecce Hiroshima
;VfB Stuttgart
;Japan