14 Facts About Yasuhiko Okudera

Yasuhiko Okudera is a Japanese former football player and manager.

Yasuhiko Okudera is the president of J2 League club Yokohama FC and was formerly the president of English club Plymouth Argyle.

Yasuhiko Okudera began his playing career in 1970 as an employee of Furukawa Electric, whose soccer team played in the corporate Japan Soccer League, the top flight league in Japan at the time.

Yasuhiko Okudera made his debut on 5 October 1977, becoming the first Japanese player to play top flight football in Europe, and Koln won the Bundesliga title that year.

Yasuhiko Okudera then joined the newly promoted Werder Bremen, whose coach Otto Rehhagel saw his play when the two sides met and offered a contract.

Yasuhiko Okudera ended his German career with 234 appearances and 26 goals.

On 12 July 1972, Yasuhiko Okudera debuted for Japan national team against Khmer.

Yasuhiko Okudera played at 1976 Asian Cup qualification and 1978 World Cup qualification until 1977.

Yasuhiko Okudera played 32 games and scored 9 goals for Japan until 1987.

Yasuhiko Okudera was the first native-born professional player in his home league, as before only foreigners were paid strictly to play football by the companies.

On 20 June 2008, Yasuhiko Okudera was appointed President of the Football League Championship side Plymouth Argyle tasked with playing a global ambassador role and further strengthening the club's profile in Asia.

Yasuhiko Okudera was replaced in his role by former Fans Trust leader Chris Webb, who had played a key part in rescuing Argyle from liquidation.

Yasuhiko Okudera was selected Japan Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and Asian Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

In October 2017, Yokohama FC manager Hitoshi Nakata was sacked, Yasuhiko Okudera managed the club as caretaker.