INTRODUTION

Hijiri Kato joined V-Varen Nagasaki from JFA Academy Fukushima in the 2020 season, but was unable to play any official matches because he prioritized his U-19 Japan national team activities.During his second professional season in 2021, he made his debut in a J2 match against Omiya Ardija on MD5 of the season. In August, he scored his first professional goal with a powerful mid-range shot from a cut-in against Zweigen Kanazawa in the MD24 of the J2 season.As a left-sided player, his greatest weapon is a highly accurate left-footed kick. He has the ability to create goals for his teammates with accurate crosses and set pieces, and his explosive speed allows him to actively participate in attacks and assist in goals.He has been a member of the national team since the U-18 Japanese national team and is a promising player who will play on the left side for the U-23 Japanese team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.