Koki Mizuno
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| Koki Mizuno | ||
| Personal information | ||
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Koki Mizuno | |
| Date of birth | 6 September 1985 | |
| Place of birth | Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka, Japan | |
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) | |
| Playing position | Right Midfielder | |
| Club information | ||
| Current club | Celtic | |
| Number | 29 | |
| Youth career | ||
| 2002–2004 | Shimizu High School | |
| Senior career1 | ||
| Years | Club | App (Gls)* |
| 2004–2007 2008– |
JEF United Celtic |
86 (13) 10 (1) |
| National team2 | ||
| 2007 | Japan | 4 (0) |
|
1 Senior club appearances and goals |
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Koki Mizuno (水野 晃樹 Mizuno Kōki, born 6 September 1985 in Shimizu-ku, Shizuoka) is a Japanese footballer. He is a midfielder and currently plays for Scottish Premier League side Celtic.
He is also the cousin of fellow Japanese international Keita Suzuki.
Contents |
[edit] Career
[edit] Club
After graduating from Shimizu Commercial High School, Mizuno joined J. League side JEF United Ichihara Chiba in 2004. He was the MVP of the 2006 J. League Cup competition.
In early January 2008, speculation arose in the Scottish press that Celtic would move for Mizuno. This was later confirmed by Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell who explained that the club planned on signing Mizuno, if he was granted a work permit.[1]
After initially being denied a permit, Celtic manager Gordon Strachan took part in an appeal hearing in which he described his other Japanese import Shunsuke Nakamura as a "flawless performer" and "The best player I have ever worked with, and that includes (Kenny) Dalglish and (Gary) McAllister", and claimed that Mizuno was a young player of immense talent and potential. The appeal was successful [2] and Celtic completed the signing of Koki Mizuno on 29 January 2008. On 18 July 2008, Mizuno made his debut in a 2–0 pre-season friendly win over Southampton. On 8 November that year he made his league debut for Celtic in the 2-0 victory over Motherwell, replacing Scott McDonald in the 88th minute and, on 21 December 2008 he made his first start in a game against Falkirk He went on to score his first goal for Celtic in the 90th minute of the match, assisted by a pass from Shunsuke Nakamura. This was the first time two Japanese players had combined to score a goal outside of Japanese Football. [3]
[edit] International
Mizuno was a member of the Japan team for 2005 FIFA World Youth Championship where he scored a goal against Benin. His first cap as a full international came when he substituted Naohiro Takahara on 24 March 2007 in a friendly against Peru. He was a member of the Japan team for 2007 AFC Asian Cup and played 2 games as a substitute.
[edit] Honours
[edit] Personal
JEF United
- 2006 J. League Cup MVP
[edit] Team
JEF United
- J. League Cup: 2005, 2006
[edit] References
- ^ "Celtic edge closer to Mizuno deal". BBC Sport website. 9 January 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/c/celtic/7177492.stm.
- ^ "Nakamura welcomes Mizuno". Fifa.com. 15 January 2008. http://www.fifa.com/worldfootball/clubfootball/news/newsid=670381.html#nakamura+welcomes+mizuno.
- ^ http://celticfc.net/news/reports/2008-12-21_fal.aspx Celtic 3 - 0 Falkirk Match Report
[edit] External links
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