30 Facts About Kaoru Mitoma

Early Life and Background

Kaoru Mitoma's journey to football stardom began in Japan, where his passion for the sport was ignited.

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   Birthplace and Early Life: Kaoru Mitoma was born in Hita, Ōita, Japan. He spent his early years in Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, where he developed a deep passion for football. This vibrant district, known for its strong community spirit and active youth sports programs, played a crucial role in nurturing his budding talent.

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   Full Name and Date of Birth: His full name is Kaoru Mitoma, and he was born on May 20, 1997.

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   Height and Position: Mitoma stands at 1.78 meters (5 ft 10 in) and plays as a left winger or attacking midfielder.

Professional Career Beginnings

Mitoma's professional career took off in Japan before he made his mark in Europe.

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   Current Team: As of the latest information, Kaoru Mitoma plays for Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League.

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   Jersey Number: His jersey number at Brighton & Hove Albion is 22.

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   First Professional Contract: Mitoma signed his first professional contract with Kawasaki Frontale in July 2018. This move marked the beginning of his professional career following his successful tenure at the University of Tsukuba.

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   Debut Season Impact: In his debut season with Kawasaki Frontale, Mitoma made a notable impact by becoming the first rookie to score double digits in the J1 League since Yoshinori Muto.

Academic and Early Football Development

Mitoma's academic pursuits and early football experiences shaped his career significantly.

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   Major in Physical Education: At the University of Tsukuba, Mitoma pursued a major in physical education. This field of study provided him with a deeper understanding of sports science and training methodologies, which complemented his football development.

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   All-League XI Selection: During his time at the University of Tsukuba, Mitoma was consistently recognized for his outstanding performances by being named to the all-league XI in his final three seasons.

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    University Soccer League Success: During his time at the University of Tsukuba, Mitoma played in the Kanto University Soccer League and was named to the all-league XI in his final three seasons. He also helped his team make an upstart run to the round of 16 in the 2017 Emperor's Cup, upsetting J.League clubs along the way.

Rise to Prominence

Mitoma's rise to prominence includes significant milestones and achievements.

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    Transfer to Brighton & Hove Albion: Following his successful stint with Kawasaki Frontale, where he scored 21 goals in just 50 appearances, Mitoma signed with Brighton & Hove Albion in August 2021.

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    Loan Move to Union SG: As part of his transfer to Brighton, Mitoma was loaned to Union SG for the 2021-22 season. This loan spell was instrumental in preparing him for the Premier League by providing him with competitive experience in European football.

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    Premier League Debut: Mitoma made his Premier League debut for Brighton on August 13, 2022, against Newcastle United. He demonstrated his potential by scoring his first Premier League goal on November 5, 2022, against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

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    Record-Breaking Goals: Mitoma made history by setting the record for most goals by a Japanese player in a single English top-flight season with 7 goals, surpassing Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki.

International Career

Mitoma's international career highlights his contributions to Japan's national team.

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    Representing Japan: Mitoma has represented Japan at various international tournaments, including the 2017 and 2019 Universiade tournaments.

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    International Debut: Mitoma made his debut for the Japan national team on November 16, 2021, coming on as a substitute in a 1-0 away win over Oman.

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    First International Goals: On March 24, 2022, Mitoma scored his first two international goals in a 2-0 World Cup qualification win against Australia. His double helped Japan qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

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    Assist in World Cup Qualifier: In the last group game of the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Spain, Mitoma assisted Ao Tanaka's winner that saw Japan qualify to the round of 16 as group winners.

Notable Achievements and Honors

Mitoma's career is marked by numerous achievements and honors.

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    FA Cup Heroics: On January 29, 2023, Mitoma scored a 91st-minute winner at home in the fourth round of the FA Cup, helping Brighton defeat Liverpool 2-1.

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    Contract Extension: On October 20, 2023, Mitoma signed a new four-year deal with Brighton & Hove Albion, extending his contract until 2027.

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    Goal of the Month Award: In August 2023, Mitoma won the Goal of the Month award for his sensational solo goal in Brighton's second match of the 2023-24 campaign, making him the first ever Japanese player to win a Premier League monthly award.

Early Football Development

Mitoma's early football development laid the foundation for his professional career.

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    Kawasaki Frontale’s U10 Category: At the age of nine, Mitoma joined Kawasaki Frontale’s U10 category. This move marked a significant step in his football career as he began to develop his skills under the guidance of the academy.

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    Promotion to U15 Team: In 2010, Mitoma received his first promotion to the Kawasaki Frontale U-15 team. During this time, he began attending Kawasaki Municipal Arima Junior High School and developed a serious personality and a professional mindset.

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    Captaincy and Leadership: As captain of his age group, Mitoma earned a reputation for using his brain to read opponents’ actions and get ahead of them. His parents and brother stood by him solidly during this period, ensuring he had meals and transportation.

Academic and International Experience

Mitoma's academic background and international experience have been crucial to his development.

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    Academic Background: Mitoma’s academic background in physical education provided him with a deeper understanding of sports science and training methodologies. This knowledge complemented his football development and equipped him with skills that enhanced his performance and longevity as a professional athlete.

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    International Experience: Mitoma’s talent earned him opportunities to represent Japan at international university-level competitions. He played in the 2017 and 2019 Universiade tournaments, showcasing his skills on the global stage.

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    Asian Games and Toulon Tournament: In addition to his Universiade appearances, Mitoma also represented Japan at the 2018 Asian Games and the 2019 Toulon Tournament with the under-23 national team.

Overcoming Challenges

Mitoma has faced and overcome various challenges throughout his career.

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    Special Designated Player: During his time at the University of Tsukuba, Mitoma occasionally joined Kawasaki Frontale’s senior team for training sessions as a Special Designated Player starting in his sophomore year. He appeared in a single J.League Cup match in 2019.

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    Injury and Return: On February 27, 2024, it was announced that Mitoma would miss the rest of the 2023-24 season due to a back injury. However, he marked his return from injury by opening the scoring in an eventual 3-0 away league win against Everton in Albion's first match of the 2024-25 season on August 17, 2024.

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    Emperor’s Cup Achievements: In June 2017, when Mitoma was in his second year at the University of Tsukuba, he scored two goals that helped his team win the Emperor’s Cup against Vegalta Sendai.

Mitoma's Bright Future

Kaoru Mitoma's journey from a young boy in Hita, Ōita, to a standout player in the Premier League is nothing short of inspiring. His dedication, skill, and hard work have made him a key player for Brighton & Hove Albion and the Japan national team. From his early days at Kawasaki Frontale to his record-breaking performances in England, Mitoma has consistently shown his talent and determination. His academic background in physical education has also given him an edge, helping him understand the science behind his training. With a new four-year deal at Brighton and a growing list of accolades, Mitoma's future looks incredibly promising. Fans around the world eagerly await his next move, knowing that with his talent and drive, the sky's the limit. Keep an eye on Kaoru Mitoma; he's just getting started.