Biography
Who is Keiji Tamada?
Early football career and Kashiwa Reysol
Keiji Tamada was born in Urayasu, Japan, on April 11, 1980. He began his professional path in 1999 after graduating from Narashino High School. He signed with the club Kashiwa Reysol and made his professional debut against Avispa Fukuoka on March 13, 1999. During his first year with the team, the club secured the J.League Cup title. While he did not start as a regular player, he earned more playing time over several seasons.
By the second half of the 2002 season, Keiji became a prominent figure in the squad. His consistent performances for Kashiwa Reysol eventually led to his first selection for the Japan national team in 2004. He remained with the club until 2006, when the team was relegated to the J2 League. This transition prompted his move to another top-tier Japanese club to continue playing at the highest level of domestic competition.
Success with Nagoya Grampus and Cerezo Osaka
Keiji Tamada joined Nagoya Grampus Eight in 2006, a team later known simply as Nagoya Grampus. He became a vital part of the roster during the 2008 season, helping the club qualify for the AFC Champions League for the first time in its history. In 2009, he scored two goals during that international tournament to help his team reach the semifinals. His biggest domestic achievement came in 2010 when Nagoya Grampus won the J1 League Championship.
After a long tenure, Keiji moved to Cerezo Osaka for the 2015 season. He eventually returned to Nagoya Grampus in late 2016 and signed a contract extension a year later. He was released by the club in December 2018. His final years as a player were spent with V-Varen Nagasaki in the J2 League starting in 2019. Following his retirement from active play, he transitioned into coaching and took a role managing the Nagoya Grampus U-21 squad.
International appearances for Japan
Keiji represented the Japan men's national football team for many years. He made his international debut during a 2006 FIFA World Cup qualification match against Singapore in March 2004. Later that year, he played a major role in the 2004 AFC Asian Cup. He scored three goals during the tournament, which helped Japan secure the first-place finish. He was also selected for the final squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup held in Germany.
During the 2006 World Cup, Keiji scored a goal against Brazil in the opening round. He continued to be a key player during the 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches, where he scored twice to help Japan qualify for the tournament in South Africa. He appeared in two games during the 2010 World Cup finals. By the end of his international career in 2010, he had played 72 matches and scored 16 goals for his country. He was also the top scorer at the 2010 East Asian Football Championship.
Birthday and age
Keiji Tamada was born on April 11, 1980, which makes Keiji 46 years old today. That birthday falls under the Aries sign. Keiji shares the date with 47 other famous people.
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