Akito Saito

Akito Saito
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-08-15) 15 August 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Japan
Height 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
 Kaya–Iloilo
Number 3
Youth career
2015–2017 Jissen Gakuen High School
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2021 Sanno Institute of Management
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022 Lernayin Artsakh
2022–2023 Aizawl 21 (1)
2023– Kaya–Iloilo
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Akito Saito (斎藤 彰人, Saito Akihito, born 15 August 1999) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Kaya–Iloilo of the Philippines Football League.[1]

Club career

Youth and college career

Saito studied and played football for Jissen Gakuen High School, which competed in the 2017 All Japan High School Soccer Tournament.[2][3] After high school he played for the football team of Sanno University.[4][5]

Lernayin Artsakh

After graduating, Saito joined Lernayin Artsakh of the Armenian Premier League in July 2022. However, he would go on to make only one appearance for the club, leaving two months after he joined.[6][3]

Aizawl

After his short stint in Armenia, Saito joined fellow Japanese player Eisuke Mohri at I-League club Aizawl as part of their foreign reinforcements.[3] He made his debut against Gokulam Kerala in a 1–0 loss,[7] playing the full 90 minutes, and scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win against NEROCA.[8] He would make 21 appearances that season.[1]

Kaya–Iloilo

In August 2023, Saito left Aizawl to join Kaya–Iloilo, the reigning champions of the Philippines Football League, as their designated Asian player for the club's campaign in the 2023–24 AFC Champions League,[9][10] joining Japanese compatriot Daizo Horikoshi. He made his first appearance for the club in the domestic cup competition, the Copa Paulino Alcantara, as Kaya won 7–0 over rivals Loyola.[11]

Honours

Kaya–Iloilo

References

  1. ^ a b Akito Saito at Soccerway
  2. ^ "Akito Saito". web.gekisaka.jp. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  3. ^ a b c Sarkar, Sattyik (15 November 2022). "Japanese defender Akito Saito set to sign for Aizawl FC". Khel Now. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  4. ^ "坊主も悪くない 斎藤彰人". footballnavi.jp. 5 August 2021. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  5. ^ "産業能率大学サッカー部". kanagawa-fa.gr.jp. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  6. ^ "Lernayin Artsakh 0-1 FC Van". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  7. ^ "Gokulam Kerala clinch three points against Aizawl FC". I-League. 18 November 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  8. ^ "I-League: Aizawl FC Edge Past NEROCA FC Thanks to Akito Saito". News18.com. 8 December 2022. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  9. ^ Co, Adrian Stewart (12 August 2023). "Kaya-Iloilo beefs up line-up, introduces 3 more new recruits". Panay News. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  10. ^ Suing, Ivan (12 August 2023). "Kaya Hires UK Coach". sports.tribune.net.ph. Retrieved 18 August 2023.
  11. ^ "Kaya FC-Iloilo Impress in Return to Action, Besting Loyola in Copa Opener". kayafc.com. 14 August 2023. Retrieved 18 August 2023.