Junichi Inamoto, first Japanese to play in English Premier League, retires aged 45
The midfielder joined Arsenal in 2001 but made his EPL debut a year later with Fulham after becoming a national hero at the 2002 World Cup
Junichi Inamoto has announced his retirement at age 45 on Wednesday, ending a career that saw the midfielder become the first Japanese player to appear in the Premier League.
Inamoto joined Arsenal in 2001 but had to wait until moving to Fulham a year later before he made his debut in England’s top flight, where he also played for West Bromwich Albion.
He became a national hero when he scored twice at the 2002 World Cup on home soil, including the winner against Russia in Japan’s first-ever victory at the tournament.
He also played in Turkey, Germany and France before returning to his home country in 2010.
The final years of his career were spent playing for Nankatsu SC, the Japanese fifth-tier club owned by the creator of the popular cartoon Captain Tsubasa.
“Of course, the environment at Arsenal and Nankatsu SC is completely different, but you have one ball and football as a sport doesn’t change,” Inamoto, who played at three World Cups and won 82 caps for Japan, told reporters.
