Junichi Inamoto is a talented
soccer player, and the first
Japanese player to play in the
English Premiership. Since his
J-league debut with Gamba
Osaka at the age of 17, he has constantly been selected as a national team member. He has the ability to snatch the ball and pass it quickly to the forward players without giving it away cheaply. Despite his position as a central midfielder with a defensive roll, his
aggressiveness is noteworthy, as was displayed in
FIFA 2002
World Cup in
Korea and
Japan, where he scored twice. After five years of career in Japan, he transferred to English
Premiership side
Arsenal, but he wasn't given a chance to play in the official matches except in some preliminary rounds of
Champions League. Soon after his success in the 2002
World Cup, he joined
Fulham FC, where he was welcomed as a real talent, not just a
cash cow that sells thousands of uniforms to wealthy Japanese boys. He is expected to play a central role as a midfielder for Japan national team.
Profile
Date of Birth: September 18, 1979
Weight: 75kg
Height: 6'
Birthplace: Osaka, Japan
Nick Name: Ina or Inajun