Toshiya Fujita


Toshiya Fujita is a former Japanese football player. He played for Japan national team. He currently works for English side Leeds United as Head of Football Development.
An Attacking midfielder, Fujita played for Júbilo Iwata, Utrecht, Nagoya Grampus, Roasso Kumamoto and JEF United Chiba. He also gained 24 Japan caps between 1995 and 2005. He won five major titles during his time at Júbilo.

Club career

Fujita attended and played football at Shimizu Commercial High School and University of Tsukuba before joining Júbilo Iwata in 1994. Playing as a creative midfielder, Fujita has played an integral role in helping to build Júbilo Iwata into one of the most successful franchises in the J1 League.
Although Fujita is not as well known as some of his more illustrious teammates, this probably has more to do with his low-key manner and quiet efficiency rather than a lack of skills. As part of the Júbilo midfield, Fujita had an essential role in providing the transition from defense to attack. In 1999, his contributions to his team were recognized as he was made team captain and won the league MVP award.
Fujita joined FC Utrecht, a team of the Eredivisie, on loan in mid-2003. The team was unable to match the performances of the top-tier teams in the Netherlands. As a result, FC Utrecht were unwilling to pay the transfer fee required to keep Fujita and he returned to Japan to once again play for Júbilo Iwata at the end of 2003.
From 2004, Fujita played for Júbilo Iwata again. However, his opportunity to play decreased in 2005, he moved to Nagoya Grampus Eight in June 2005. His opportunity to play decreased in 2008 and he left the club end of the season. From 2009, he played for J2 League club Roasso Kumamoto and JEF United Chiba. He announced his retirement in June 2012.

National team career

On February 15, 1995, Fujita debuted for Japan national team against Australia. In June 1999, he was selected Japan for the first time in 4 years by manager Philippe Troussier. He played at 1999 Copa America. In 2001, he was selected Japan for 2001 Confederations Cup. Although he did not played in the match, Japan won the 2nd place. In October 2003, he was selected Japan for the first time in 4 years by manager Zico. In 2004, he played at 2006 World Cup qualification. He was also selected Japan for 2004 Asian Cup. Although he did not played in the match, Japan won the champions for 2 times in a row. He played 24 games and scored 3 goals for Japan until 2005.

Japan Pro-Footballers Association (JPFA)

Fujita had been managing the Japan Pro-Footballers Association as a chairman for five years with Tetsuro Kiyooka, FIFA players' agent as a chief operating officer and formed the organization as a trade union in 2011 as well as represented the all Japanese footballers and the Japan national football team to protect their rights and status.

Coaching career

In 2014 joined Dutch side VVV-Venlo as part of the coaching staff.
On July 21, 2017, it was announced he had left VVV-Venlo join English EFL Championship side Leeds United as Head of Football Development. On January 3, 2018, Leeds signed their first ever Japanese player, signing Japanese international Yosuke Ideguchi from Gamba Osaka.

Club statistics

National team statistics

Honors and awards

Individual