Quick Facts
Biography
Takuma Asano (Japanese: 浅野拓磨 Asano Takuma; born 10 November 1994) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for German side VfB Stuttgart, on loan from English club Arsenal, and for the Japan national team.
Club career
Sanfrecce Hiroshima
Asano joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima at the age of 18 in January 2013, and went on to win the J1 League in his inaugural season while making just one league appearance. The forward concluded his first year at the club by also lifting the Japanese Super Cup for the first time.
He went on to win the cup once again in 2014 and 2015, while starting to break into the squad for the J1 League. He helped his side lift the J1 League for a second time in 2015, this time adding nine goals in 34 appearances. He was also named as the J-League's 'Rookie of the Year'.
Arsenal
On 3 July 2016, Asano was announced as Arsenal's second signing of the season, subject to a medical and international clearance, joining Granit Xhaka at the Emirates Stadium. Manager Arsene Wenger described him as "a talented young striker and very much one for the future". However Asano was refused a work permit to play in the Premier League.
Loan to VfB Stuttgart
On 26 August 2016, Asano was loaned out to VfB Stuttgart until the end of the season with an option for a further year.
International career
On 7 May 2015, Japan's coach Vahid Halilhodžić called him for a two-days training camp. On 23 July 2015, he was called again for the upcoming 2015 EAFF East Asian Cup. Asano scored his first goal on 3 June 2016 in the 2016 Kirin Cup in a 7–2 win against Bulgaria. Asano represented the under-23 side at the 2016 Summer Olympics, where Japan was eliminated in the group stage.
Career statistics
Club
- As of 18 December 2016
| Club | Season | League | League1 | Cup | League Cup | Continental | Other2 | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | |||
| Sanfrecce Hiroshima | 2013 | J1 League | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| 2014 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 20 | 1 | ||
| 2015 | 34 | 9 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 48 | 18 | ||
| 2016 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 19 | 8 | ||
| Total | 60 | 13 | 10 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 93 | 27 | ||
| VfB Stuttgart | 2016–17 | 2. Bundesliga | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 2 |
| Career totals | 73 | 15 | 11 | 4 | 7 | 4 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 3 | 107 | 29 | ||
1Includes J. League Championship.
2Includes Japanese Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup.
International goals
- As of match played 6 September 2016. Japan score listed first, score column indicates score after each Asano goal.
| No. | Date | Venue | Cap | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 June 2016 | Toyota Stadium, Toyota, Japan | 4 |  Bulgaria | 7–2 | 7–2 | 2016 Kirin Cup |
| 2 | 6 September 2016 | Rajamangala Stadium, Bangkok, Thailand | 7 |  Thailand | 2–0 | 2–0 | 2018 FIFA World Cup qualification – AFC Third Round |
Honours
Club
- Sanfrecce Hiroshima
- J1 League: 2013, 2015
- Japanese Super Cup: 2013, 2014, 2016
International
- Japan U-23
- AFC U-23 Championship: 2016
Individual
- J. League Rookie of the Year: 2015