J. League Sep 12, 2021
The Samurai Blue fullback's signing, announced on his 35th birthday, comes over a decade after he left the capital for a successful European career in Italy, Turkey and France.
Soccer Sep 1, 2020
Japan defender Yuto Nagatomo has signed a one-season deal with French heavyweight Olympique Marseille, the French Ligue 1 side said Monday. Nagatomo, who turns 34 on Sept. 12, moves on a free transfer from Galatasaray after his contract expired in June. He spent 2 1/2 ...
Soccer Jul 3, 2020
Galatasaray announces Yuto Nagatomo exit, shares tearful goodbye
Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo's departure from Galatasaray was made official on Thursday, with the Turkish side announcing the expiration of his contract and posting photos of his emotional goodbye on social media. The 33-year-old, who produced three goals and seven assists in 65 appearances with ...
Soccer Jul 2, 2020
Japan international defender Yuto Nagatomo will leave Turkish giant Galatasary, Turkish media reported Tuesday. The 33-year-old, who has played left back for Samurai Japan since the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, joined the Turkish Super League powerhouse in January 2018 from Inter Milan, where ...
MLB Apr 19, 2020
The Los Angeles Angels star and Samurai Blue defender Yuto Nagatomo have contributed to crowdfunding efforts aiming to provide protective equipment to medical workers.
Soccer Dec 2, 2019
Defender Yuto Nagatomo salvaged a point for Galatasaray in the Turkish top flight on Sunday, scoring at the death to snatch a 1-1 draw at Trabzonspor. Nagatomo netted his first goal of the season in the 90th minute at Medical Park Stadium, pouncing on a ...
Soccer Oct 10, 2019
Samurai Blue rout Mongolia 6-0 in 2022 World Cup qualifier
by Dan Orlowitz
In the sumo ring, wrestlers from Mongolia rule the roost against their Japanese opponents. On the soccer pitch, Japan is clearly still king. Takumi Minamino scored in his third straight match, veteran defender Yuto Nagatomo netted his first international goal in 10 years and Junya Ito ...
Soccer | From the Spot Sep 4, 2019
Moriyasu relies heavily on overseas players
by Dan Orlowitz
The Samurai Blue are coming from increasingly far away. Head coach Hajime Moriyasu's squad for Japan's Thursday friendly against Paraguay and next Tuesday's Asian joint qualifier at Myanmar in Yangon features 19 Europe-based players — the largest overseas contingent ever summoned for the side. The number ...
Soccer May 6, 2019
Yuto Nagatomo's Galatasaray beats Shinji Kagawa, Besiktas in Istanbul derby
Japan teammates Yuto Nagatomo and Shinji Kagawa faced off Sunday in one of Turkish soccer's biggest grudge matches, with Nagatomo's Galatasaray emerging as a 2-0 winner over Kagawa's Besiktas in the Istanbul derby. The win at Turk Telekom Arena took Galatasaray to the top of ...
Soccer Apr 21, 2019
Yuto Nagatomo nabs first goal for Galatasaray since 2018 transfer
Japanese defender Yuto Nagatomo returned from injury to score his first goal for Galatasaray since his transfer last year in the Turkish top-flight team's 3-1 win over Kayserispor on Saturday. The 32-year-old Nagatomo, who completed a transfer to Galatasaray in June after being loaned to ...
Soccer | From the Spot Jan 23, 2019
Japan fails to shift attack into gear
by Dan Orlowitz
"Defense wins championships," as the old saying goes. The Samurai Blue certainly needed plenty of it on Monday after maintaining less than 24 percent possession over 90 minutes of their Asian Cup round of 16 win against Saudi Arabia under the baking sun at Sharjah ...
Soccer Jul 24, 2018
Galatasaray defender Yuto Nagatomo said Tuesday he is eager to represent Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games if he is picked as an overage player for the men's under-23 squad. Speaking at an event in Tokyo, the 31-year-old Nagatomo said he is ready to ...