is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg and the Japan national team.
Club career
On 25 October 2020, Kitano made his league debut against Gamba Osaka U-23. In doing so, he became the youngest player to debut in an official match at 16 years, 2 months and 12 days, a record formerly held by forward Yoichiro Kakitani.
On 18 February 2022, Kitano was registered as a type 2 player for J League matches. On 25 February 2022, he signed a professional contract with the club. Kitano scored his first professional goal against Kashima Antlers on 2 March 2022, scoring in the 12th minute. At 17 years, 6 months and 17 days old, he became the club's youngest player to score in an official match, breaking Takumi Minamino's record of 18 years, 2 months and 7 days old when he scored his first professional goal. He won the 2022 New Hero Award. On 6 June 2023, Kitano scored his first J1 goal against Vissel Kobe on 10 June 2023, scoring in the 90th+3rd minute. In July 2024, he trialled for two weeks with Dutch Eredivisie club Almere City, which was a turning point for him.
On 9 June 2025, Kitano signed a five-year contract with Austrian Bundesliga club Red Bull Salzburg.
International career
Kitano was called up to the Japan U20s on 7 February 2023 for the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup.
Kitano was called up to the Japan U20s on 9 May 2023 for the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsCerezo Osaka U-232020J3 League80————80Cerezo Osaka2022J1 League19000103——2932023J1 League1223240——1942024J1 League1821030——2222025J1 League1940020——214Total68842193——9113Red Bull Salzburg2024–25Austrian Bundesliga————10102025–26Austrian Bundesliga25640—90—3862026–27Austrian Bundesliga6121—50—132Total31761—14010528Career total107141031931401015121
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan202510Total10
Honours Individual J1 League Young Player of the Month: February/March 2025,
References
External links
Profile at Cerezo Osaka U-18 Profile at Cerezo Osaka