is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger or attacking midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Young Lions, on loan from Indonesian club PSM Makassar.
Club career Youth and early career Oita Trinita: Several loan spells Sakai spent his youth career at Oita Trinita. After coming up through various ranks, he was promoted into senior team of the club in 2014. He spent loan spells at different clubs including the Japanese clubs Albirex Niigata, Thespakusatsu Gunma, Gainare Tottori and the Belgian side Tubize.
Samut Prakan Citya In June 2021, Sakai ended his six-year association with Oita Trinita and signed for the Thai League 1 club Samut Prakan City. He made 28 appearances for the club in the league and scored 4 goals.
Customs United In July 2022, Sakai signed for the Thai League 2 club Customs United. He played in 37 games and scored 10 goals.
Kerala Blasters On 2 September 2023, Indian Super League club Kerala Blasters announced the signing of Sakai. With this move, he became the first Japanese player to sign with the club. Sakai made his debut for the club on 21 September, in the season opener against Bengaluru at home, which the Blasters won 2–1. He provided his first assist for the club on 27 October against Odisha and helped in a 2–1 victory. On 4 November, Sakai scored his debut goal for the Blasters during the match against East Bengal in the 32nd minute and helped them in 1–2 victory away from home.
International career In October 2013, Sakai was elected Japan U-17 national team for 2013 U-17 World Cup. He played all 4 matches and scored a goal against Tunisia. In May 2017, he was elected Japan U-20 national team for 2017 U-20 World Cup. At this tournament, he played 2 matches as defensive midfielder.
Career statistics Club Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)", 7 February 2018, Japan, (p. 161 out of 289)Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2017 J1&J2&J3選手名鑑 (NSK MOOK)", 8 February 2017, Japan, (p. 239 out of 289)Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2016J1&J2&J3選手名鑑", 10 February 2016, Japan, (p. 251 out of 289)
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalAppsGoalsOita Trinita 2014J2 League0011——112015J2 League4020——602016J3 League11020——1302017J2 League4021——61Total19072——262J.League U-22 (loan)2015J3 League8000— —80Tubize (loan)Belgian First Division B3000——30Albirex Niigata (loan)2018J2 League8021— 20121Thespa Gunma (loan)2019J3 League5000——50Gainare Tottori (loan)2020J3 League27600——276Samut Prakan City2021–22Thai League 128420——304Customs United 2022–23Thai League 2371010——3810Kerala Blasters2023–24Indian Super League213———213PSM Makassar2024–25Liga 1293——513442025–26Super League171——00171Young Lions (loan) 2026–27Singapore Premier League2000——20Career total20427123—7122331
Honours
Japan U19 AFC U-19 Championship: 2016
References
External links
Profile at Oita Trinita
Players Profile - Thai League