Akira Kaji (加地 亮, Kaji Akira) (born January 13, 1980 in Minamiawaji, Hyōgo) is a Japanese professional football player. He is a specialist on the right-hand side of the pitch playing as a full back or a wide midfielder. He currently plays for J. League side Gamba Osaka.
After graduating from Takigawa Daini High School, Kaji joined Cerezo Osaka in 1998. He made his first league appearance on July 25, 1998 against Avispa Fukuoka. At the club, he fo...
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Akira Kaji (加地 亮, Kaji Akira) (born January 13, 1980 in Minamiawaji, Hyōgo) is a Japanese professional football player. He is a specialist on the right-hand side of the pitch playing as a full back or a wide midfielder. He currently plays for J. League side Gamba Osaka.
After graduating from Takigawa Daini High School, Kaji joined Cerezo Osaka in 1998. He made his first league appearance on July 25, 1998 against Avispa Fukuoka. At the club, he found it difficult to break into the first team and was loaned out to J. League Division 2 side Oita Trinita at the start of the 2000 season.
After spending 2 years at Oita, Kaji came back to Division 1 in 2002 to play for F.C. Tokyo. The manager Hiromi Hara made him a regular and assigned a more attacking role. His club won the 2004 J. League Cup by beating Urawa Red Diamonds in the final which ended 0-0 after the extra time. The penalty shoot-out was required and his successful conversion as the last penalty taker for Tokyo finally broke the...
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