Hajime Hosogai

Hajime Hosogai (細貝 萌, Hosogai Hajime; born 10 June 1986) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for Thespa Gunma. He is a flexible player, able to play as a full-back or defensive midfielder. He made 30 appearances for the Japan national team scoring once.

Hosogai was amongst the most promising players of Urawa Red Diamonds. Having helped the Red Diamonds to the AFC Champions League in 2007, he played for Urawa at the 2007 FIFA Club World Cup.

On 23 December 2010, he left Japan and transferred to the German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen, who promptly loaned him out to FC Augsburg. On 9 September 2011, he scored his first Bundesliga goal against Leverkusen. Playing for the newly promoted Bavarian club, Hosogai helped avoiding relegation before returning to Bayer Leverkusen for the 2012–13 season.

On 25 July 2016, Hosogai moved to VfB Stuttgart. He joined Kashiwa Reysol on 24 March 2017.

On 6 December 2018, it was confirmed that Hosogai would join the Thai league club Buriram United for the 2019 season.

On 12 December 2019, it was announced that Hosogai had joined club Bangkok United on a season-long loan deal.

Hosogai has represented Japan at numerous youth levels. He was a member of the Japan team for the 2008 Summer Olympics finals, and made his debut for the Japan national team in a 1–0 win against Paraguay (playing in his natural role as central midfielder) at his home stadium in Saitama on 4 September 2010, after being called up for the first time by caretaker Hiromi Hara and under the auspices of new manager Alberto Zaccheroni.

He scored his first goal for the senior national team on 25 January 2011 in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup semi-final match against South Korea.

Thai League 1 Player of the Month (1): February 2020