Ryo Fujii

Ryo Fujii (Japanese: 藤井 亮; born 7 August 1996) is a Hong Kong-born Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Cambodian Premier League club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng.

Ryo Fujii
Personal information
Full name Ryo Fujii
Date of birth (1996-08-07) 7 August 1996
Place of birth Hong Kong
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s) Defensive midfielder
Team information
Current team
 Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng
Number 28
Youth career
2010–2014 South High School
2011–2012 Chivas USA
2013–2014 LA Galaxy
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2014 UC Santa Barbara Gauchos 19 (0)
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2015–2017 LA Galaxy II 58 (4)
2018 Nyköpings BIS 28 (0)
2020 Global 0 (0)
2021–2022 Kaya–Iloilo 10 (1)
2023 PSIS Semarang 15 (0)
2023– Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng 7 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 24 September 2023

Early life and education

Fujii was born 7 August 1996 in Hong Kong to a Japanese father and a Korean mother.[2][3][4][5] At a young age, Fujii and family relocated to Torrance, California, where he was raised.[3][4] Fujii attended South High School and played for the school's varsity team for all 4 years.[6] He joined and played with Chivas USA's youth side for the 2011–2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season before appearing with LA Galaxy's youth side for the 2013–2014 season.[6][7][8]

With his background, Fujii was considered a top collegiate soccer prospect.[9][10] Fujii elected to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara after being recruited by head coach Tim Vom Steeg.[3][11] While there, he played college soccer as a member of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team.[12] He appeared in 19 games for the Gauchos and added 2 assists.[12] He was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team following the conclusion of the season.[2][3]

Club career

LA Galaxy

In February 2015, Fujii turned professional by signing with LA Galaxy II of the United Soccer League.[13][14] By turning professional, he forfeited his amateur status and scholarship with UC Santa Barbara, but Fujii was the first player to sign for LA Galaxy under a new partnership with California State University that provided additional financial resources for schooling.[3][13][15][16] Jovan Kirovski, the one responsible for Fujii's path, is unaware of any previous similar agreements and that this may be the first of its kind.[4] During his first professional season, he made twelve appearances for LA Galaxy II with 1 assist.[17]

Nyköpings BIS

On 1 March 2018, Fujii joined Nyköpings BIS in Ettan Fotboll, the Swedish third tier.[18]

Global F.C.

On 25 February 2020, Fujii reportedly signed a deal with the Philippines Football League club Global but the club was banned by the Philippine Football Federation before the season could start.[19]

Kaya F.C.–Iloilo

Philippines Football League club Kaya–Iloilo announced on 8 April 2021 that they have signed in Fujii.[5]

PSIS Semarang

After 1 month trial, Ryo Fujii was officially signed by PSIS Semarang to face the second round of 2022–23 Liga 1.[20] Fujii made his professional debut on 16 January 2023 in a match against RANS Nusantara at the Pakansari Stadium, Bogor.[21]

References
  1. "Ryo Fujii: Profile". worldfootball.net. HEIM:SPIEL. Retrieved 14 December 2022.
  2. "Getting 2 Know Galaxy II: Midfielder Ryo Fujii". LA Galaxy. September 2, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  3. Serrano, Adam (March 18, 2015). "Game changer: LA Galaxy partnering with local university to help young players develop on and off the field". LA Galaxy. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  4. Sánchez-Tello, George B.; Romero, José Antonio (August 15, 2016). "Midfield with Ryo Fujii". Hyphen. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
  5. "Kaya FC-Iloilo Signs Ryo Fujii". Kaya F.C. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
  6. "#62 - Ryo FUJII: US Soccer Development Academy player profile". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on October 2, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  7. "Chivas USA U-15/16 (2011-2012)". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  8. "LA Galaxy U-17/18 (2013-2014)". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  9. "Ryo Fujii Top Drawer Soccer player profile". www.TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  10. "Class of 2014 (High School Seniors)". www.CollegeSoccerNews.com. December 5, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  11. "UCSB Inks Another Nationally Ranked Player on Day Two of NLI Signings". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. February 6, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  12. "UC Santa Barbara: Lineup". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  13. "LA Galaxy II sign Galaxy Academy product Ryo Fujii". LA Galaxy. February 10, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  14. Steffen, Sean (February 12, 2015). "Ryo Fujii signs with Galaxy II on a game-changing contract". www.LAGConfidential.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  15. Steffen, Sean (February 12, 2015). "Jovan Kirovski reveals details of the Ryo Fujii contract and future of player development". www.LAGConfidential.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  16. Salazar, Jo-Ryan (March 19, 2015). "Meet Ryo Fujii: The Next Up-And-Comer For LA Galaxy II". TheViewFromAvalon.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  17. "2015 Stats". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  18. "Ryo Fujii klar för Nyköpings BIS". svenskalag.se. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
  19. Guardian, Daily (2020-12-18). "Global FC wage issues in PFL reaches FIFA". Daily Guardian. Retrieved 2023-01-09.
  20. stafadmin (2023-01-13). "Setelah 1 Bulan Trial, Ryo Fujii Resmi Dikontrak PSIS". PSIS Semarang (in Indonesian). Retrieved 2023-01-13.
  21. "RANS Nusantara vs. PSIS Semarang - 16 January 2023 - Soccerway". int.soccerway.com. Retrieved 2023-01-16.
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