Biography
Who is Gen Shōji?
Early life and youth career
Born in Kobe, Japan, Gen Shōji began playing football at the age of two. Initially, he played as a forward during his early years. His natural talent became apparent in the fourth grade, where his performance against older players caught the attention of the youth team Fresca Kobe U12, based in Hyogo Prefecture. He eventually signed with them to further his development.
Professional club career with Kashima Antlers
In late 2010, the club announced that Gen would join the Kashima Antlers starting in January 2011. He was officially registered to the first team ahead of the 2011 season. His initial time at the club involved significant patience, as he spent several months on the substitute bench behind established players like Daiki Iwamasa and Takeshi Aoki. He made his official debut on October 12, 2011, during a J. League Cup match against the University of Tsukuba, helping his side secure a victory.
International play and career growth
Throughout his career, Gen has been a key defensive presence for his clubs. In 2017, he helped the Kashima Antlers win the Japanese Super Cup by starting in a victory over Urawa Red Diamonds. His defensive consistency during that period, including multiple clean sheets, attracted interest from international teams, including Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. During the 2017 season, he also took on leadership duties, captaining the side on numerous occasions.
Birthday and age
Gen Shōji was born on December 11, 1992, which makes Gen 33 years old today. That birthday falls under the Sagittarius sign. Gen shares the date with 30 other famous people.
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