Biography
Who is Yasuhiko Okudera?
Early life and club beginnings
Yasuhiko Okudera was born in Kazuno, Japan. He began his path in the sport while working for Furukawa Electric in 1970. This team competed in the corporate Japan Soccer League, which was the premier division in the country at that time. Throughout his early tenure, he helped the club achieve significant success, including winning the 1976 Japan Soccer League title and the 1976 Emperor's Cup.
His skill on the pitch earned him a selection for the Best Eleven that same year, and he also contributed to a JSL Cup victory in May 1977.
Breaking barriers in Germany
In the summer of 1977, while on a team trip to Germany, Yasuhiko caught the attention of coach Hennes Weisweiler. He signed with 1. FC Köln in July of that year. His debut on October 5, 1977, marked the first time a Japanese athlete played top-flight football in Europe. During his time with Köln, the team secured the Bundesliga championship.
He made history on April 11, 1979, by scoring in a European Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, becoming the first Asian player to net a goal in that prestigious tournament. After leaving Cologne, he played for Hertha BSC and then joined Werder Bremen. Under the guidance of coach Otto Rehhagel, he transitioned from a winger to an attacking full-back. He experienced sustained success at Bremen, finishing as the league runner-up three times between 1981 and 1986.
Return to Japan and professional management
Yasuhiko returned to Furukawa Electric in 1986, becoming one of the first recognized professional athletes in the Japanese league. Later that year, he scored a hat-trick against Al Hilal in the final round of the Asian Club Championship. He retired as a player in 1988, having accumulated 234 appearances and 26 goals during his time in Germany.
Following his retirement, he played a vital role in the professionalization of football in Japan. He managed JEF United Ichihara and later teamed up with Pierre Littbarski to help form Yokohama FC. Under his leadership as president, the club earned promotion to the J1 League in 2006. In 2008, he accepted a position as President of Plymouth Argyle in England, serving as a global ambassador to strengthen the club's Asian profile. He was inducted into the Japan Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the Asian Football Hall of Fame in 2014. Also, he served as a caretaker manager for Yokohama FC in 2017.
Birthday and age
Yasuhiko Okudera was born on March 12, 1952, which makes Yasuhiko 74 years old today. That birthday falls under the Pisces sign. Yasuhiko shares the date with 33 other famous people.
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