Takashi Hirano

Takashi Hirano (平野 孝, Hirano Takashi; born July 15, 1974) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder. He played for the Japan national team.

Hirano attended Shimizu Shogyo High School, where he won the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament in 1991.

Hirano began his professional career in the J1 League in 1993, with Nagoya Grampus Eight, winning the Emperor's Cup in 1995 and 1999 and the Japanese Super Cup in 1996, and scoring 43 goals in 213 appearances for the team. He transferred to Kyoto Purple Sanga in 2000, and although his team won promotion from the J2 League in 2001, he played just 5 league games before moving on to Júbilo Iwata.

After brief and largely unremarkable stints at Vissel Kobe, Tokyo Verdy, Yokohama F. Marinos and Omiya Ardija, Hirano moved to North America and signed for Vancouver Whitecaps in the USL First Division in 2008.

On September 30, 2008, Hirano was called up to the USL First Division All-League Team, and on October 12, 2008, helped the Whitecaps capture their second USL First Division Championship by beating the Puerto Rico Islanders 2–1 in the USL1 Championship game.

On January 20, 2009 the Whitecaps announced a contract extension for Hirano for the 2009 season.

Hirano played for the Japan U-20 national team, which competed at the 1992 AFC Youth Championship.

On June 8, 1997, he debuted and scored a goal for Japan national team against Croatia. He also participated in the 1998 World Cup qualification in 1997. In 1998, he was selected for Japan's squad in the 1998 World Cup, playing two games as a substitute. He played 15 games and scored 4 goals for Japan until 2000.

Vancouver Whitecaps Outstanding Defender: 2009

Vancouver Whitecaps Newcomer of the Year: 2008