Junichi Inamoto

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Inamoto was one of many high-profile transfers of Asian players to Europe, signing with Arsenal of the English Premier League. He scored two goals for the Japan national team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but had already been released by Arsenal shortly before the tournament began. He then signed with Fulham on a long-term loan deal from Gamba Osaka. Initially he settled well at the London club, garnering good notices as a tough-tackling midfielder with an eye for a spectacular goal. He became a fan favourite quickly, scoring four goals over the two legs of Fulham's 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup final win against Bologna, scoring once in the first leg and a hat trick in the second. Other notable goals he scored in his time for Fulham include goals against Tottenham Hotspur, Sunderland, Middlesbrough and also in the 3–1 win against Manchester United at Old Trafford in October 2003. He also scored in the FA Cup against Everton which commentator Barry Davies described as 'a Japanese peach.' Inamoto was also described as 'bigger than Beckham' by the Japanese media. However, he sustained a fractured tibia in an international friendly against England, and returned to Gamba Osaka to do promotional work.

In Their Own Story

Inamoto's international career began in August 1995 when he was selected for Japan U17 for the 1995 U-17 World Championship, playing all three matches. In April 1999, he was selected for Japan U20 for the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship, playing three matches as Japan finished second. On 5 February 2000, Inamoto debuted for the senior Japan national team under manager Philippe Troussier against Mexico. After his debut, Inamoto played ten matches or more every year under Troussier. In September 2000, Inamoto was selected for Japan U23 for 2000 Summer Olympics, playing the full game in all four matches and scoring a goal against Slovakia. In 2000, Inamoto played at the 2000 AFC Asian Cup, playing four matches as Japan won the championship. In 2001, he played at the 2001 FIFA Confederations Cup, playing four matches as Japan finished second. In 2002, he was selected by Japan for the 2002 FIFA World Cup, playing all four matches and scoring two goals against Belgium in the first match and Russia in the second match. Japan qualified for the knockout stage for the first time in their history. After the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Inamoto played at the 2003 and the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. In 2006, he was selected by Japan for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, playing two matches as Japan was eliminated at the group stage. After the 2006 FIFA World Cup, due to generational change, Inamoto was not selected for Japan again until June 2007. In 2010, he was selected for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, playing two matches as Japan qualified for the knockout stage. This World Cup would mark Inamoto's last game for Japan. In total, he played 82 games and scored 5 goals for the national side.

Reader's Guide

Inamoto signed with West Bromwich Albion for a decidedly small £200,000 transfer fee, which was only to be paid once he had made an appearance for the Midlands club. However, Gary Megson departed as West Bromwich Albion manager shortly afterwards, and successor Bryan Robson was unsure of the player. Inamoto was loaned to Cardiff City for the latter part of the 2004–05 season, and impressed, being recalled to play a role in West Brom's survival campaign in the Premiership. In 2005–06 he was a regular in the West Brom side, and was called up to the Japan squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the first Albion player to play in the tournament for 20 years. While at West Brom Inamoto scored once, an extra time winner in a League Cup tie against former club Fulham on 25 October 2005. On 31 August 2006, Inamoto signed for Galatasaray. On 29 May 2007, it was revealed that he signed a two-year contract with German club Eintracht Frankfurt, joining on a free transfer. Inamoto was presented in a press conference joining fellow Japanese striker Naohiro Takahara in Frankfurt and was released on 30 May 2009. On 19 June 2009, French Ligue 1 side Rennes announced that Inamoto had signed a contract with them. Inamoto signed for J1 League club Kawasaki Frontale on 11 January 2010 in a move back to his homeland after nine years away in Europe. He played for Frontale for 5 seasons. He left at the end of the 2014 season. In 2015, Inamoto then subsequently featured for Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo in the J2 League. Consadole won the 2016 season and was promoted to J1. However he could only play single-digit matches every season from the 2016 season onward. He resigned at the end of the 2018 season. On 23 January 2019, Inamoto signed with J3 League club SC Sagamihara. On 15 June 2019, he scored his first goal for the club in a league match against Gamba Osaka U23. On 18 January 2022, Inamoto signed for fifth tier Kantō Soccer League club, Nankatsu SC. On 30 July 2023, he scored his first goal for the club at the age of 43 in a league match against Toin University of Yokohama scoring a header. He retired from playing in December 2024.

Did You Know?

• Inamoto made his J.League debut at age 17 in April 1997, making him the youngest player in the J.League at that time.
• He scored a hat trick in the second leg of Fulham's 2002 UEFA Intertoto Cup final win against Bologna.
• Commentator Barry Davies described Inamoto's FA Cup goal against Everton as 'a Japanese peach.'
• Inamoto was the first West Bromwich Albion player to play in a World Cup in 20 years when he was called up for the 2006 tournament.
• He scored his first goal for Nankatsu SC at age 43, heading in a goal against Toin University of Yokohama on 30 July 2023.