Ao Tanaka

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Ao Tanaka
{{nobold|田中碧}}

| image = Fumio Kishida with Japan National Football Team after Qatar World Cup (5) (cropped).jpg

| caption = Tanaka in 2022

| fullname = Ao Tanaka{{cite web |url=https://fdp.fifa.org/assetspublic/ce44/pdf/SquadLists-English.pdf |title=FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 – Squad list: Japan (JPN) |publisher=FIFA |page=16 |date=15 November 2022 |access-date=15 November 2022}}

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1998|9|10|df=y}}

| birth_place = Miyamae-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa, Japan

| height = 1.80m{{Cite web|url=http://www.jfa.jp/eng/national_team/u24_2021/member/TANAKA_Ao.html|title=Japan National Team｜JFA｜Japan Football Association|website=www.jfa.jp}}

| position = Central midfielder

| currentclub = Leeds United

| clubnumber = 22

| youthyears1 = 2001–2006

| youthclubs1 = Saginuma SC

| youthyears2 = 2007–2016

| youthclubs2 = Kawasaki Frontale

| years1 = 2018–2022

| clubs1 = Kawasaki Frontale

| caps1 = 79

| goals1 = 8

| years2 = 2021–2022

| clubs2 = → Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan)

| caps2 = 29

| goals2 = 1

| years3 = 2022−2024

| clubs3 = Fortuna Düsseldorf

| caps3 = 55

| goals3 = 8

| years4 = 2024–

| clubs4 = Leeds United

| caps4 = 41

| goals4 = 4

| nationalyears1 = 2019–2021

| nationalteam1 = Japan U23

| nationalcaps1 = 18

| nationalgoals1 = 2

| nationalyears2 = 2019–

| nationalteam2 = Japan

| nationalcaps2 = 32

| nationalgoals2 = 8

| club-update = 15 March 2025 (UTC)

| nationalteam-update = 25 March 2025 (UTC)

}}

{{Nihongo|Ao Tanaka|田中碧|Tanaka Ao|born 10 September 1998}} is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a central midfielder for {{English football updater|LeedsUni}} club Leeds United and the Japan national team.

Club career

=Kawasaki Frontale=

Raised for a decade in the youth ranks of hometown club Kawasaki Frontale, Tanaka made his J1 League debut in September 2018 against Consadole Sapporo, scoring his first professional goal just six minutes after he was subbed on.{{cite web |url=http://www.goal.com/jp/%E3%83%8B%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E3%82%B9/j1%E3%83%87%E3%83%93%E3%83%A5%E3%83%BC%E5%BC%BE%E3%81%AE%E7%94%B0%E4%B8%AD%E7%A2%A7%E3%81%A9%E3%82%93%E6%AC%B2%E3%81%AA%E5%A7%BF%E5%8B%A2%E3%81%8C%E5%AE%9F%E3%82%92%E7%B5%90%E3%82%93%E3%81%A0%E7%9E%AC%E9%96%93%E4%BB%8A%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A7%E3%81%AE%E4%BA%BA%E7%94%9F%E3%81%A7%E4%B8%80%E7%95%AA%E6%A5%BD%E3%81%97%E3%81%8B%E3%81%A3%E3%81%9F%E6%99%82%E9%96%93/1s3qeq9kfvg7c13gzvvfd2y3ob |language=Japanese |script-title=ja:J1デビュー弾の田中碧、どん欲な姿勢が実を結んだ瞬間「今までの人生で一番楽しかった時間」 |date=16 September 2018 |publisher=goal.com}} As injuries struck the midfield options of Kawasaki Frontale during the 2019 season, he earned more starts with his club, participating in 24 J1 League matches throughout the season, accumulating 31 matches in total during the year, across five different competitions. As his performances continuously caught the eyes of many, and his manager's approval, he was then awarded the 2019 J.League Rookie of the Year Award in his first full professional season. With this feat, he is the only Kawasaki Frontale player ever to win this award.{{cite web|url=https://www.jleague.jp/release/post-62206/|title=2019 J.LEAGUE Awards|access-date=30 April 2022|language=ja|publisher=J.LEAGUE}}

=Fortuna Düsseldorf=

On 26 June 2021, after two and a half professional seasons with Kawasaki Frontale, he joined German 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf on a year-long loan with an option to buy.{{Cite web |date=26 June 2021 |title=Fortuna verpflichtet Tanaka |url=https://www.kicker.de/fortuna-verpflichtet-tanaka-808343/artikel |access-date=26 June 2021 |website=kicker |language=de-DE}}

On 28 April 2022, Fortuna Düsseldorf, satisfied with his club and national team performances, exercised the buy-out option in his club contract to acquire him, paying his release clause to get him officially signed for the club on 28 April 2022. He signed a three-year contract with the expiration date being 30 June 2025, encouraged by a sequence of game time with their first-team in the 2021–22 2. Bundesliga.{{cite web|url=https://www.f95.de/aktuell/news/profis/detail/29221-fortuna-verpflichtet-ao-tanaka-fest/822131717e7e27af55e3e7960be899b2/|title=Ao Tanaka signs a 3-year long contract with F95|language=de|access-date=30 April 2022}}

=Leeds United=

On 30 August 2024, Tanaka signed for EFL Championship club Leeds United on a four-year deal. {{cite web|url=https://www.leedsunited.com/en/news/ao-tanaka-signs-for-leeds-united|title=Ao Tanaka signs for Leeds United|website=www.leedsunited.com|date=30 August 2024|accessdate=30 August 2024}} By November 2024 he had become a key player for the team, being described as "undroppable".{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5869607/2024/11/22/ao-tanaka-leeds-united-midfield-undroppable/|title=How Ao Tanaka is making himself undroppable for Leeds|first=Nancy|last=Froston|via=NYTimes.com}} He scored his first goal for The Whites in a 3–3 league tie on 4 January 2025 at Hull.{{Cite web|url= https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/live/cly7e31r213t|title=Hull City 3-3 Leeds United: Tigers Snatch Point With Late Comeback|website=BBC Sport|date=4 January 2025|access-date=5 January 2025}}

International career

Tanaka made his debut for the Japan national football team on 14 December 2019, in a 5–0 win against Hong Kong in the 2019 EAFF E-1 Football Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/samuraiblue/member/tanaka_ao.html|title=Ao Tanaka JFA Profile|publisher=JFA|access-date=30 April 2022}} In the summer of 2021, he was named in the 22-man squad for the 2020 Olympic Games alongside two Kawasaki Frontale ex-teammates, Kaoru Mitoma, and Reo Hatate. He started every match for Japan during the tournament.

Throughout the 2020 season, Tanaka established for a good reputation among the Kawasaki Frontale players, playing a total of more than 2500 minutes across all competitions, being a starter in most of the matches he played. His performances with the Kawasaki Frontale team also helped him earn caps with the Japan under-23 team, including a two-goal performance that helped the Japan under-23s earn a 3–2 win over the Brazil under-23 team in a friendly match at 14 October 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.jfa.jp/eng/news/00023119/|title=U-22 Japan National Team comes from behind to win over Brazil|access-date=30 April 2022|publisher=JFA|language=en}}

He played his first match in the AFC qualification tournament for the 2022 FIFA World Cup on 12 October 2021, where he scored his first international goal in a 2–1 home win against Australia.{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/afc/match-center/400181525|title=FIFA Match Center - Saudi Arabia vs Japan|publisher=FIFA|access-date=30 April 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/mens/worldcup/qatar2022/qualifiers/afc/match-center/400181530|title=FIFA Match Center - Japan vs Australia|publisher=FIFA|access-date=30 April 2022}} On 1 November 2022, Tanaka was included in Japan's 26-man squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/japan-world-cup-2022-squad-hajime-moriyasu-names-his-latest-squad|title=Japan World Cup 2022 squad: Team announced for tournament in Qatar|publisher=FourFourTwo|date=1 November 2022|accessdate=2 November 2022}}

On 1 December, he scored the winning goal in a 2–1 victory over Spain, which qualified his national team to the knockout stage as top of their group.{{cite web |url=https://www.thenationalnews.com/fifa-world-cup-2022/2022/12/01/japan-produce-thrilling-comeback-to-stun-spain-and-make-world-cup-last-16/ |title=Japan produce thrilling comeback to stun Spain and make World Cup last 16 |website=The National News |date=1 December 2022 }} That goal sparked much dispute over its validity since the ball seemed to be out-of-play when Kaoru Mitoma assisted Tanaka. The dispute was only settled after the match when the Associated Press released a crucial evidence, the bird's eye photo of the ball, taken by Petr David Josek. Josek revealed that a total of four agencies — AP, Reuters, AFP and Getty Images — were approved to enter the suspended catwalk to take bird's eye photos, but the latter three missed the shot because they were at the opposite side of the pitch anticipating a Spanish goal instead.{{cite news|title=AP photo catches key moment before Japan’s World Cup goal|work=Associated Press News|first=Ciarán |last=Fahey|date=2022-12-02|url=https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-middle-east-international-82a14c07535319540767aaae1f1ce6e5|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222152611/https://apnews.com/article/world-cup-sports-soccer-middle-east-international-82a14c07535319540767aaae1f1ce6e5|archivedate=2022-12-22}}{{cite news|title=三笘薫“奇跡の1ミリ”、あの証拠写真を撮影した外国人カメラマンに直撃取材「なぜ撮れた？」「地上50mからニッポンのゴールを待っていた」|last=齋藤裕|work=Sports Graphic Number |publisher=Bungeishunju|date=4 December 2022|url=https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/855640|archiveurl=https://archive.today/20230822051828/https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/855640|archivedate=22 August 2023}}

Personal life

Tanaka is the childhood friend of fellow Japan international and former Kawasaki Frontale teammate, Kaoru Mitoma, who currently plays for English Premier League club, Brighton and Hove Albion. Both of them attended Saginuma elementary school in Kawasaki, Kanagawa, and promised to make Japan proud as a professional footballer.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/japan-world-cup-mitoma-tanaka-28652302 |title=Japan team-mates went to school together and made World Cup promise in year book |website=www.mirror.co.uk |date=5 December 2022 |language=English |access-date=12 September 2023 |publisher=Mirror UK }}

His parents originally wanted to give him a different name. However, the sky was so blue the day he was born that they decided to name him Ao, which means "blue" in Japanese. Ao started playing football in kindergarten, and in addition to football, he played many other sports, including gymnastics. However, football was the one he enjoyed the most, and he started kicking the ball against the wall alone in the park.

Ao entered his local elementary school in Saginuma and joined the elementary school's football club, Saginuma SC. The club was a powerhouse in the area. Mr. Sawada, who was the coach of Saginuma SC at that time, remembers well the trial session before joining the club. Ao was kicking the ball happily at first, but halfway through he was crying in the corner of the schoolyard. When Mr. Sawada asked him why he was crying, he replied, "I'm bored with this practice. I want to practice harder." Mr. Sawada was surprised to see such ambition in such a young boy.https://piece-of-japan.com/entertainment/soccer-football/ao-tanaka-earlylife-childhood.html

He used a Nambu iron kettle to get enough iron, which helped improve his anaemia.{{cite web|url=https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/soccer/worldcup/20221208-OYT1T50248/|title=Tanaka Aoi's love of "Nambu ironware" is trending on social media... Intake of iron is effective, and the area where it is produced is being approached for PR cooperation|website=Yomiuri Shimbun Online|date=2022-12-09|accessdate=2024-06-25}}

As of December 2022, he dated Airi Suzuki, a former member of the Japanese idol group Cute.{{cite web|url=https://www.news-postseven.com/archives/20221202_1818602.html|title=スペイン戦決勝点・田中碧、鈴木愛理との交際にプロゴルファー父・鈴木亨も強力サポート|website=News Post Seven|date=2022-12-02|accessdate=2023-02-09}}

Career statistics

=Club=

{{updated|match played 15 March 2025}}Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, [https://www.amazon.co.jp/J1-J3%E9%81%B8%E6%89%8B%E5%90%8D%E9%91%91%E3%83%8F%E3%83%B3%E3%83%87%E3%82%A3%E7%89%88-2018-NSK-MOOK/dp/4905411521 "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)"], 7 February 2018, Japan, {{ISBN|978-4905411529}} (p. 13 out of 289){{soccerway|access-date=26 June 2021}}

Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition !rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|National cup{{Efn\|Includes Emperor's Cup, DFB-Pokal, and FA Cup}} !colspan="2"\|League cup{{Efn\|Includes J. League Cup and EFL Cup}} !colspan="2"\|Other !colspan="2"\|Total
rowspan="5"\|Kawasaki Frontale \|2018 \|J1 League \|4	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	4	1
2019 \|J1 League \|24	1	1	0	1	0	4{{efn\|4 appearances and 1 goal in AFC Champions League, 1 appearance in Japanese Super Cup}}	1	31	2
2020 \|J1 League \|31	5	2	1	5	0	colspan="2"\|—	38	6
2021 \|J1 League \|20	1	0	0	0	0	\|1{{efn\|Appearance in Japanese Super Cup}}	0	21	1
colspan="2"\|Total !79	8	3	1	6	0	6	1	94	10
Fortuna Düsseldorf (loan) \|2021–22 \|2. Bundesliga \|29	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	30	1
rowspan="4"\|Fortuna Düsseldorf \|2022–23 \|2. Bundesliga \|22	1	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	25	1
2023–24 \|2. Bundesliga \|30	7	4	1	colspan="2"\|—	2{{efn\|Appearances in 2. Bundesliga promotion play-offs}}	0	36	8
2024–25 \|2. Bundesliga \|3	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	4	0
colspan="2"\|Total !84	9	9	1	0	0	2	0	95	10
Leeds United \|2024–25{{soccerbase season\|127210\|2024\|accessdate=13 March 2025}} \|Championship \|35	4	2	0	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	37	4
colspan="3"\|Career total !198	21	14	2	6	0	8	0	225	24

=International=

colspan="2"\|Total	32	8
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" \|+ Appearances and goals by national team and year !National team!!Year!!Apps!!Goals
rowspan="6"\|Japan \|2019	2	0
2021	3	1
2022	13	2
2023	6	3
2024	6	2
2025	2	0

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first.

class="wikitable" \|+ List of international goals scored by Ao Tanaka ! No. !! Date !! Venue !! Opponent !! Score !! Result !! Competition
1.	12 October 2021	Saitama Stadium 2002, Saitama, Japan	{{fb\|AUS}}	align=center\|1–0	align="center" \| 2–1	2022 FIFA World Cup qualification
2.	2 June 2022	Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan	{{fb\|PAR}}	align=center\|4–1	align="center" \| 4–1	2022 Kirin Challenge Cup
3.	1 December 2022	Khalifa International Stadium, Al Rayyan, Qatar	{{fb\|ESP}}	align=center\|2–1	align="center" \| 2–1	2022 FIFA World Cup
4.	9 September 2023	Volkswagen Arena, Wolfsburg, Germany	{{fb\|GER}}	align=center\|4–1	align="center" \| 4–1	Friendly
5.	rowspan=2\|13 October 2023	rowspan=2\|Denka Big Swan Stadium, Niigata, Japan	rowspan=2\|{{fb\|CAN}}	align=center\|1–0	align="center" rowspan=2 \| 4–1	rowspan=2\| Friendly
6.	align=center\|4–0
7.	1 January 2024	Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	{{fb\|THA}}	align=center\|1–0	align="center" \| 5–0	Friendly
8.	21 March 2024	Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	{{fb\|PRK}}	align=center\|1–0	align="center" \| 1–0	2026 FIFA World Cup qualification

Honours

Kawasaki Frontale

Individual

J.League Rookie of the Year: 2019
J.League Best XI: 2020
Toulon Tournament Bronze Ball : 2019{{Cite web|url=https://www.tournoimauricerevello.com/festival/detail_actualite.php?id=4402|title=L’équipe type du Tournoi Maurice Revello 2019|website=www.festival-foot-espoirs.com}}
Toulon Tournament Best XI: 2019{{cite web|url=https://festival-foot-espoirs.com/en/festival/detail_actualite.php?id=4410|title=Maurice Revello Tournament 2019 Best XI|publisher=Maurice Revello Tournament|date=17 June 2019|access-date=23 April 2021}}

References

External links

[https://data.j-league.or.jp/SFIX04/?player_id=19314 Ao Tanaka] at data.j-league.or.jp {{in lang|ja}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20180918123638/https://www.jleague.jp/club/kawasakif/player/detail/1603854/ Ao Tanaka] at www.jleague.jp (archived) {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180918123638/https://www.jleague.jp/club/kawasakif/player/detail/1603854/ |date=18 September 2018 }} {{in lang|ja}}
[http://www.frontale.co.jp/profile/2018/mem_32.html Ao Tanaka] at Kawasaki Frontale {{in lang|ja}}

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