Masato Fukui

{{Infobox football biography

|name = Masato Fukui

|image = 20160714 EL Austria vs Kukesi 1576.jpg

|image_size = 200px

|caption =

|fullname = Masato Fukui

|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1988|11|14}}

|birth_place = Tottori, Japan

|height = 1.77 m

|position = Striker

|currentclub =

|clubnumber =

|youthyears1 = {{0|0000}}–2000

|youthclubs1 = Umbigo FC

|youthyears2 = 2001–2003

|youthclubs2 = FC Camino

|youthyears3 = 2004–2006

|youthclubs3 = Tottori Chuo Ikuei High School

|collegeyears1 = 2007–2010

|college1 = Nippon Bunri University

| years1 = 2011–2012 | clubs1 = Gainare Tottori | caps1 = 38 | goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2012–2013 | clubs2 = Home United | caps2 = 13 | goals2 = 0

| years3 = 2013–2015 | clubs3 = Sutjeska Nikšić | caps3 = 60 | goals3 = 12

| years4 = 2015–2016 | clubs4 = Tirana | caps4 = 34 | goals4 = 2

| years5 = 2016–2017 | clubs5 = Skënderbeu Korçë | caps5 = 14 | goals5 = 0

| years6 = 2016 | clubs6 = → Kukësi (loan) | caps6 = 2 | goals6 = 0

| years7 = 2017–2019 | clubs7 = Kamza | caps7 = 51 | goals7 = 5

|nationalyears1 =

|nationalteam1 =

|nationalcaps1 =

|nationalgoals1 =

|club-update = 15 September 2018

|nationalteam-update =

}}

{{Nihongo|Masato Fukui|福井理人|Fukui Masato|born November 14, 1988}} is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker for Albanian club Kamza.

Club career

=Gainare Tottori=

In 2011, he joined Gainare Tottori in J2 League, on 6 March 2011 he made his first appearance for the team.{{cite news|url=http://www.j-league.or.jp/data/view.php?c=tottori&t=player&g=j2&y=2012&l=E|title=J. League (#29)|publisher=J-League|language=Japanese|accessdate=23 June 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150131135106/http://www.j-league.or.jp/data/view.php?c=tottori&t=player&g=j2&y=2012&l=E|archivedate=31 January 2015}}

=Home United=

In 2013 the striker signed for Home United on a free transfer.{{cite news|url=http://www.goal.com/en-sg/news/3880/singapore/2013/02/17/3755937/home-united-chairman-anselm-lopez-shares-coach-lees|title=Home United Chairman Anselm Lopez shares Coach Lee's ambitions for club|publisher=Goal.com|author=Khalis Rifhan|date=17 February 2013|accessdate=17 February 2013}} He played thirteen games in the S.League without scoring.

=Sutjeska Nikšić=

On 26 July 2013, Fukui signed for Montenegrin First League side Sutjeska Nikšić on a free transfer. He made his debut on 10 August, scoring in a 2–0 win over Mornar. He scored a goal from 70 metres against FK Mladost for 2–0 win.{{cite news|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/10/montenegro/first-league/fk-sutjeska-niksic/fk-mornar-bar/1481691/|title=Sutjeska vs. Mornar 2 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=10 August 2013|accessdate=23 June 2016}}

=Tirana=

On 16 July 2015, Fukui joined Albanian Superliga side Tirana on a free transfer, signing a one-year contract and becoming the first Japanese player to sign for an Albanian club.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/tirana-merr-nje-samuraji-japonezi-i-pare-ne-superiore-tjeter-sulm-per-gilberton/|title=Tirana merr një "samuraji", japonezi i parë në Superiore, tjetër sulm për Gilberton|trans-title=Tirana takes a "samurai", the first Japanese in Superliga, another attack for Gilberto|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=17 July 2015|accessdate=20 July 2015}} In his unofficial debut on 22 July, he came on the field and scored twice to lead his team into a 2–1 win against Mladost Carev Dvor in the first match of the preparation phase in Macedonia.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.al/tirana-fiton-miqesoren-dhe-nje-samurai-ne-fushe/|title=Tirana fiton miqësoren dhe një "Samurai" në fushë|trans-title=Tirana win the friendly with a "Samurai" on the field|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Rinald Bregasi|date=23 July 2015|accessdate=24 July 2015}}

On 23 August 2015, in the Tirana's opening match of the 2015–16 season against the newcomers of Tërbuni Pukë, Fukui gave an assist for Gilman Lika to score an equalizer, which ended Tërbuni's superiority, and then scored the winning goal in the 68th minute, giving Tirana a 1–2 away win.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kategoria-superiore-live-terbuni-tirana-1-1-barazon-gilman-lika-mbyllet-pjesa-e-pare/|title=Tirana i prish festën Tërbunit, bardheblutë fitojnë me përmbysje|trans-title=Tirana ruins Tërbuni's celebration, white&blues wins with comeback|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=24 August 2015|accessdate=23 September 2015}}

=Skënderbeu Korçë=

On 21 June 2016, Fukui signed a two-year contract with fellow Albanian Superliga side Skënderbeu Korçë after he couldn't reach an argument with Tirana for the new deal.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/skenderbeu-fillon-te-levize-agostineli-fukui-dhe-nje-kuqezi/|title=Skënderbeu fillon të lëvizë: Agostineli, Fukui dhe një "kuqezi"|trans-title=Skënderbeu starts to move: Agostineli, Fukui and a "red&black"|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|author=Armand Halili|date=21 June 2016|accessdate=23 June 2016}} Due to Skënderbeu's ban from European football over match-fixing allegations,{{cite web|url=https://www.uefa.com/uefachampionsleague/news/022f-0e9491c5366c-7f36115c125a-1000--partizani-replace-sk%D0%B5nderbeu-in-champions-league/|title=Partizani replace Skënderbeu in Champions League|website=UEFA|publisher=Union of European Football Associations|date=6 July 2016|access-date=6 July 2016}} on 10 July, Fukui was sent on loan at Kukësi for their European campaign along with teammates Liridon Latifi and Sabjen Lilaj.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.al/kukesi-tjeter-goditje-per-europen-vjen-fukui/|title=Kukësi tjetër goditje për Europën, vjen Fukui|trans-title=Another hit of Kukësi for Europe, Fukui arrives|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Rinald Bregasi|date=10 July 2016|accessdate=8 August 2017}}

Four days later, he played 82 minutes in the first leg of UEFA Europa League second qualifying round against Austria Wien which ended in a 1–0 defeat.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/07/14/europe/uefa-cup/fk-austria-memphis-magna/ks-perparimi-kukes/2245322/|title=Austria Wien vs. Kukësi 1 – 0|publisher=Soccerway|date=14 July 2016|accessdate=14 July 2016}} He also featured 61 minutes in the second leg at Elbasan Arena as the match finished in a 1–4 defeat, which confirmed Kukësi elimination from the competition with the aggregate 1–5.{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/matches/2016/07/21/europe/uefa-cup/ks-perparimi-kukes/fk-austria-memphis-magna/2245323/|title=Kukësi vs. Austria Wien 1 – 4|publisher=Soccerway|date=21 July 2016|accessdate=14 July 2016}}

After Kukësi's elimination, Fukui returned to Skënderbeu along with his teammates, and made his first appearance on 25 August in the 2016 Albanian Supercup, scoring the temporary equalizer with a header in an eventual 1–3 defeat to Kukësi at Selman Stërmasi Stadium.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.al/kukesi-fiton-superkupen-e-shaqiperise/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160826013058/http://www.supersport.al/kukesi-fiton-superkupen-e-shaqiperise/|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 August 2016|title=Kukësi fiton Superkupën e Shqipërisë|trans-title=Kukësi wins Albanian Supercup|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Rinald Bregasi|date=24 August 2016|accessdate=25 August 2016}} He made his first league appearance in the opening matchday on 7 September by playing full-90 minutes against Flamurtari Vlorë in an eventual 2–1 home win.{{cite web|url=http://www.supersport.al/skenderbeu-e-nis-me-fitore-nen-shenjen-e-salihit/|title=Skënderbeu, start nën shenjën e Salihit|trans-title=Skënderbeu, start on Salihi's mark|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Erald Kodheli|date=7 September 2016|accessdate=7 September 2016|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160910073514/http://www.supersport.al/skenderbeu-e-nis-me-fitore-nen-shenjen-e-salihit/|archivedate=10 September 2016}} After playing as a starter in the first matches, Fukui lost his place by the beginning of November, recording 94 minutes until January. In January, the new manager convinced him to stay for the second part of season, but nevertheless, he played only two league matches.{{cite web|url=http://telesport.al/daja-fukui-te-mos-largohet-na-duhet-nje-qendersulmues/|title=lir Daja: Fukui të mos largohet, na duhet një qendërsulmues!|trans-title=Ilir Daja: Fukui should not leave, we need a center forward!|publisher=Telesport.al|language=Albanian|author=Alfred Lleshi|date=9 January 2017|accessdate=9 January 2017}}

=Kamza=

On 3 August 2017, after a failed season at Skënderbeu, Fukui signed for newly promoted side Kamza as a free agent.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/kamza-zyrtarizon-afrimin-e-5-te-ne-merkato-firmos-japonezi-fukui/|title=Kamza zyrtarizon afrimin e 5-të në merkato, firmos japonezi Fukui|trans-title=Kamza officialized the 5th approach in market, the japanese Fukui signs|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=3 August 2017|accessdate=8 August 2017}} He wasn't part of the team during their winter training camp in Antalya, Turkey due to having visa problems; he instead trained with Kastrioti Krujë and played in one friendly.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/humbi-faze-pergatitore-nga-gjobat-masato-fukui-perfundon-te-kastrioti/|title=Humbi fazë përgatitore nga gjobat, Masato Fukui përfundon te Kastrioti|trans-title=Missed preparation phase from fines, Masato Fukui ends up at Kastrioti|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|author=Alfred Lleshi|date=20 January 2018|accessdate=20 January 2018}}

Fukui was one of the most used players in the Kamza squad during the 2017–18 season, making 33 league appearances, scoring no goals as the team avoided relegation only in the final matchday.{{cite web|url=https://konica.al/2018/05/vllaznia-bie-nga-superiorja-mbijeton-kamza-partizani-pa-europe-video/|title=Vllaznia bie nga Superiorja, mbijeton Kamza, Partizani pa Evropë (Video)|trans-title=Vllaznia relegated from Superliga, Kamza survives, Partizani without Europe (Video)|publisher=Konica.al|language=Albanian|date=23 May 2018|accessdate=3 September 2018}}{{Dead link|date=August 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He left the club initially during the summer transfer window, and also claiming that the club had not paid him correctly,{{cite web|url=http://sportekspres.com/fukui-ne-federate-per-borxhet-e-pashlyera-e-mbylla-me-shqiperine/|title=Fukui në Federatë për borxhet e pashlyera: E mbylla me Shqipërinë!|trans-title=Fukui in federation for the unpaid debts: I'm done with Albania!|publisher=Sport Ekspres|language=Albanian|date=31 August 2018|accessdate=3 September 2018}} however, on 31 August he returned and signed a contract for the 2018–19 season.{{cite web|url=http://www.panorama.com.al/sport/merr-fund-telenovale-fukui-i-kamzes-edhe-per-1-sezon/|title=Nuk ka më dyshime, Fukui i Kamzës edhe për 1 sezon|trans-title=There are no more doubts, Fukui is of Kamza for another one season|publisher=Panorama Sport|language=Albanian|date=31 August 2018|accessdate=3 September 2018}}

He scored his league goal of in his first appearance the new season on 15 September against Kastrioti Krujë, netting the second to help the team win 2–0.{{cite web|url=https://www.supersport.al/duro-debuton-me-fitore-kamza-mposht-kastriotin/|title=Duro debuton me fitore, Kamza mposht Kastriotin|trans-title=Duro debutes with a win, Kamza defeats Kastrioti|publisher=SuperSport Albania|language=Albanian|author=Sotir Kora|date=15 September 2018|accessdate=15 September 2018}}

Club statistics

{{updated|15 September 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/masato--fukui/180188/|title=Japan - M. Fukui - Profile with news, career statistics and history|publisher=Soccerway|accessdate=23 June 2016}}

rowspan="2"\|Club !rowspan="2"\|Season !colspan="3"\|League !colspan="2"\|Cup !colspan="2"\|Continental !colspan="2"\|Total
class="wikitable" style="text-align: center;"
Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
rowspan="3"\|Gainare Tottori \|2011 \|rowspan="2"\|J2 League \|11	3	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	12	3
2012 \|27	2	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	27	2
colspan="2"\|Total !38	5	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	39	5
rowspan="1"\|Home United \|2013 \|rowspan="1"\|S.League \|13	0	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	14	0
rowspan="4"\|Sutjeska Nikšić \|2013–14 \|rowspan="3"\|Montenegrin First League \|30	7	0	0	colspan="2"\|—	30	7
2014–15 \|30	5	4	0	2All appearance(s) in UEFA Champions League	0	36	5
2015–16 \|colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	2All appearance(s) in UEFA Europa League	1	2	1
colspan="2"\|Total !60	12	4	0	4	1	68	13
rowspan="1"\|Tirana \|2015–16 \|rowspan="1"\|Albanian Superliga \|34	2	3	2	colspan="2"\|—	37	4
rowspan="1"\|Skënderbeu Korçë \|2016–17 \|rowspan="1"\|Albanian Superliga \|14	0	4One appearance and one goal in Albanian Supercup	1	0	0	18	1
rowspan="1"\|Kukësi (loan) \|2016–17 \|rowspan="1"\|Albanian Superliga \|colspan="2"\|—	colspan="2"\|—	2	0	2	0
rowspan="3"\|Kamza \|2017–18 \|rowspan="2"\|Albanian Superliga \|33	0	2	0	colspan="2"\|—	35	0
2018–19 \|1	1	1	0	colspan="2"\|—	2	1
colspan="2"\|Total !34	1	3	0	colspan="2"\|—	37	1
colspan="3"\|Career total !193	20	16	3	6	1	216	24