Ryo Fujii
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | August 7, 1996 | ||
Place of birth | Hong Kong | ||
Height | 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m) | ||
Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
Club information | |||
Current team | Kaya–Iloilo | ||
Youth career | |||
2011–2012 | Chivas USA | ||
2013–2014 | LA Galaxy | ||
2010–2014 | South High School | ||
College career | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2014 | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos | 19 | (0) |
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
2015–2017 | LA Galaxy II | 59 | (4) |
2018 | Nyköpings BIS | 28 | (0) |
2020 | Global | 0 | (0) |
2021– | Kaya–Iloilo | 11 | (1) |
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of March 29, 2019 |
Ryo Fujii (born August 7, 1996) is a Hong Kong-born Japanese professional soccer player who currently plays for Kaya–Iloilo in the Philippines Football League.
Early life and education[]
Fujii was born August 7, 1996, in Hong Kong to a Japanese father and a Korean mother.[1][2][3][4] At a young age, Fujii and family relocated to Torrance, California, where he was raised.[2][3] Fujii attended South High School and played for the school's varsity team for all 4 years.[5] 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.[5][6][7]
With his background, Fujii was considered a top collegiate soccer prospect.[8][9] Fujii elected to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara after being recruited by head coach Tim Vom Steeg.[2][10] While there, he played college soccer as a member of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team.[11] He appeared in 19 games for the Gauchos and added 2 assists.[11] He was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team following the conclusion of the season.[1][2]
Club career[]
LA Galaxy[]
In February 2015, Fujii turned professional by signing with LA Galaxy II of the United Soccer League.[12][13] 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, Dominguez Hills that provided additional financial resources for schooling.[2][12][14][15] 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.[3] During his first professional season, he made twelve appearances for LA Galaxy II with 1 assist.[16]
Nyköpings BIS[]
On 1 March 2018, Fujii joined Nyköpings BIS in Division 1 Norra, the Swedish third tier.[17]
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.
Kaya F.C. Iloilo[]
Philippines Football League club Kaya–Iloilo announced on April 8, 2021 that they have signed in Fujii.[4]
References[]
- ^ a b "Getting 2 Know Galaxy II: Midfielder Ryo Fujii". LA Galaxy. September 2, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ a b c d e 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.
- ^ a b c Sánchez-Tello, George B.; Romero, José Antonio (August 15, 2016). "Midfield with Ryo Fujii". Hyphen. Retrieved August 17, 2016.
- ^ a b "Kaya FC-Iloilo Signs Ryo Fujii". Kaya F.C. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 April 2021.
- ^ a b "#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.
- ^ "Chivas USA U-15/16 (2011-2012)". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on September 9, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "LA Galaxy U-17/18 (2013-2014)". U.S. Soccer Development Academy. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Ryo Fujii Top Drawer Soccer player profile". www.TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Class of 2014 (High School Seniors)". www.CollegeSoccerNews.com. December 5, 2013. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "UCSB Inks Another Nationally Ranked Player on Day Two of NLI Signings". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. February 6, 2014. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ a b "UC Santa Barbara: Lineup". UC Santa Barbara Gauchos. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ a b "LA Galaxy II sign Galaxy Academy product Ryo Fujii". LA Galaxy. February 10, 2015. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ Steffen, Sean (February 12, 2015). "Ryo Fujii signs with Galaxy II on a game-changing contract". www.LAGConfidential.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Salazar, Jo-Ryan (March 19, 2015). "Meet Ryo Fujii: The Next Up-And-Comer For LA Galaxy II". TheViewFromAvalon.com. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "2015 Stats". United Soccer Leagues. Archived from the original on October 9, 2015. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
- ^ "Ryo Fujii klar för Nyköpings BIS". svenskalag.se. Retrieved 1 March 2018.
External links[]
- 1996 births
- Living people
- UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer players
- LA Galaxy II players
- Nyköpings BIS players
- USL Championship players
- Expatriate soccer players in the United States
- Hong Kong people of Japanese descent
- Japanese footballers
- Association football midfielders
- Japanese people of Korean descent