Takayuki Morimoto is a Japanese former professional footballer who plays as a second striker.
18 Facts About Takayuki Morimoto
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Takayuki Morimoto holds the record for the youngest Japanese player to make his professional debut, and the youngest scorer in J1 League history.
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Takayuki Morimoto joined Tokyo Verdy's, then known as Yomiuri SC's youth set-ups on 1998.
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Takayuki Morimoto was eventually promoted to Verdy's first-team in May 2004, when he was a first grader at high school.
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On 13 March 2004, Takayuki Morimoto made his J1 League debut for Tokyo Verdy against Jubilo Iwata at the age of 15 years, 10 months and 6 days, a former league record for youngest player to debut.
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Takayuki Morimoto made his Serie A debut on 28 January 2007 during an away game against Atalanta.
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Takayuki Morimoto entered the game in the 83rd minute and scored the equalizing goal, his first, just five minutes later.
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On 14 December 2008, Takayuki Morimoto signed a three-year contract extension with Catania until 30 June 2011.
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Brazilian and Milan star Alexandre Pato told Italian sports daily Corriere dello Sport that he believed Takayuki Morimoto was the best young player in Serie A and compared him to Ronaldo.
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Takayuki Morimoto's performances have often been over-shadowed by the likes of Giuseppe Mascara, Maxi Lopez, Jorge Martinez and Gionatha Spinesi, while the signing of Argentine international Gonzalo Bergessio limited his chances to feature.
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Takayuki Morimoto's season was hampered by injuries which limited the Japanese international to just 18 league appearances, producing four goals.
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On 7 January 2013, Takayuki Morimoto was loaned to Al-Nasr Dubai, coached by former Catania manager Walter Zenga.
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On 14 August 2013, Takayuki Morimoto signed for J2 League club JEF United Chiba for an undisclosed fee.
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On 24 December 2015, Takayuki Morimoto signed for Kawasaki Frontale on a two-year deal, with the contract starting on 1 February 2016.
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In October 2020, Takayuki Morimoto signed for the Greek Football League club AEP Kozani for an undisclosed fee.
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Takayuki Morimoto joined former Paraguay national team players Edgar Benitez, Guillermo Beltran and Luis Cabral.
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Takayuki Morimoto represented Japan at the Japan U20 national team level at both the 2004 AFC Youth Championship and the 2005 World Youth Championship.
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In March 2021, Takayuki Morimoto was involved in a traffic collision in Paraguay after crashing his vehicle against a motorcycle.