Koji Nakata age & birthday

Koji Nakata is 47 years old, born on July 9, 1979 in Shiga, Japan. Koji Nakata is a former professional football player who represented Japan in the 2002 and 2006 FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Date of birth: July 9, 1979
Age: 47 years
Birthplace: Shiga, Japan
Zodiac sign: Cancer

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Biography

Who is Koji Nakata?

Early life and Japanese football career

Koji Nakata was born on July 9, 1979, in the city of Otsu, located in Shiga, Japan. After finishing his high school education, he began his professional path by joining the Kashima Antlers in 1998. During his first season, he played as a defensive midfielder and helped the team secure the J1 League championship. By 2000, he had established himself as a permanent fixture in the starting lineup alongside teammates like Masashi Motoyama and Mitsuo Ogasawara.

Professional years in France and Switzerland

In early 2005, Koji Nakata moved to Europe to join the French club Olympique de Marseille. This transfer was facilitated by Philippe Troussier, who had previously managed the Japan national team and was then coaching the French side. His time in France was relatively brief, as he moved to Switzerland to play for FC Basel on February 1, 2006. He made history as the first Japanese athlete to sign with a top-tier Swiss football club.

International appearances and World Cup history

Koji Nakata earned 57 caps for the Japan men's national football team between 2000 and 2007. His international path began with the U20 squad, where he played every match during the 1999 World Youth Championship to help Japan reach the final. He made his senior debut against Mexico in February 2000 and later participated in the Sydney Olympics that same year. He was a key defender for Japan during the 2002 FIFA World Cup, playing every minute of their four matches.

Return to Kashima and personal life

In July 2008, Koji Nakata returned to the Kashima Antlers to finish his professional playing days. He demonstrated his versatility during this second stint by playing as a center-back, left side-back, and defensive midfielder. His return coincided with more silverware for the club, including consecutive J1 League titles in 2008 and 2009. He also added another Emperor's Cup and two more J.League Cups to his collection before officially retiring at the end of the 2014 season.

Birthday and age

Koji Nakata was born on July 9, 1979, which makes Koji 47 years old today. That birthday falls under the Cancer sign. Koji shares the date with 69 other famous people.

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Koji, quick answers

Koji Nakata is currently 47 years old. He was born on July 9, 1979, and spent many years playing as a professional association football player. He was born in Shiga, Japan, and became one of the most versatile Japanese defenders of his generation.

Koji Nakata celebrates his birthday on July 9, 1979, which makes his zodiac sign Cancer. He was born in the city of Otsu in Shiga, Japan. This date marks the birth of a sportsman who would eventually represent his country in two different FIFA World Cup tournaments.

Koji Nakata is from Japan, specifically born in Otsu, Shiga. He spent the majority of his professional career playing for the Japanese club Kashima Antlers. He also lived abroad for several years while playing for teams in Marseille, France, and Basel, Switzerland.

Koji Nakata is famous for being a successful Japanese association football player who played for the national team. He is well known for winning the 2004 Asian Cup and for his long career with the Kashima Antlers. He also earned recognition as the first Japanese player in the Swiss top flight.

Koji Nakata stands at a height of 182 centimeters. This physical stature helped him succeed in various defensive positions, including center-back and defensive midfielder. His height and athleticism allowed him to compete at the highest levels of international football in Europe and Asia.

Koji Nakata played for several prominent clubs starting with Kashima Antlers in the Japanese J1 League. He moved to France to join Olympique de Marseille in 2005 and later signed with the Swiss club FC Basel in 2006. He eventually returned to Kashima Antlers to finish his career in 2014.

Koji Nakata has been married to the actress Nao Nagasawa since February 22, 2014. The couple has three children together. They married just as Koji was entering his final season of professional football before his retirement from the sport later that same year.

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