Former Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto, who made history as the first Japanese player to feature in the Premier League, has announced his retirement at the age of 45. Inamoto's journey in English football began when he joined Arsenal in 2001, but it wasn't until he moved to Fulham a year later that he made his debut in the top flight. He also played for West Bromwich Albion during his time in England.
Inamoto became a national icon when he scored twice in the 2002 World Cup held in Japan, including the winning goal against Russia, which marked Japan's first-ever victory in the tournament. After his stint in England, he played in Turkey, Germany, and France before returning to Japan in 2010.
The latter part of his career saw him playing for Nankatsu SC, a Japanese fifth-tier club owned by the creator of the popular anime Captain Tsubasa. Reflecting on his diverse experiences, Inamoto noted, "Of course, the environment at Arsenal and Nankatsu SC is completely different, but you have one ball, and football as a sport doesn't change."
Inamoto, who represented Japan in three World Cups and earned 82 caps, struggled to make an impact during his single season at Arsenal, raising questions about his ability to adapt to the Premier League. However, his standout performances at the 2002 World Cup earned him a second chance with Fulham, where he helped Japan reach the knockout stages for the first time.
Inamoto stated, "Those games were the launchpad for my name to be known around the world. I was already at Arsenal by then, but those goals had a tremendous impact."
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