Kosuke Kitani

Kosuke Kitani (木谷 公亮, Kitani Kosuke, born October 9, 1978) is a Japanese former football player and current manager of J1 League team Sagan Tosu.

Kosuke Kitani
木谷 公亮

Personal information
Full name	Kosuke Kitani
Date of birth	(1978-10-09) October 9, 1978
Place of birth	Kamagaya, Japan
Height	1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)	Defender
Team information
Current team	Sagan Tosu (manager)
Youth career
1994–1996	Shutoku High School
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
1997–2000	Kokushikan University
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2001–2004	Omiya Ardija	46	(3)
2005–2009	Vegalta Sendai	159	(2)
2010–2013	Sagan Tosu	75	(6)
2013–2014	FC Gifu	42	(1)
Total		322	(12)
Managerial career
2024–	Sagan Tosu
*Club domestic league appearances and goals

Playing career

Kitani was born in Kamagaya on October 9, 1978. After graduating from Kokushikan University, he joined J2 League club Omiya Ardija in 2001. Although he debuted in first season, he could hardly play in the match until summer 2003. He played many matches as defensive midfielder and center back from summer 2003. However his opportunity to play decreased in 2004. Although Ardija finished in second place and was promoted to J1 League for the following season, he left the club end of 2004 season without playing in J1.

In 2005, Kitani signed with J2 club Vegalta Sendai. He became a regular player as centre back soon and played many matches until 2008. However, he could hardly play in the match behind Kodai Watanabe and Elizeu in 2009. Vegalta won the league and was promoted to J1 from 2010, he left the club at the end of 2009 season.

In 2010, Kitani signed with J2 club Sagan Tosu. He became a regular player soon. In 2011, he played all 38 matches and Sagan finished in second place and was promoted to J1. Although he played in J1 first time in his career in 2012, he lost his position and could only play 4 matches in late in 2012 season.

In July 2013, Kitani moved to J2 club FC Gifu. He played all 17 matches in 2013 season. He retired as a player at the end of 2014 season.

Club statistics

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J.League Cup		Total
2001	Omiya Ardija	J2 League	1	0	0	0	0	0	1	0
2002			2	0	3	0	-		5	0
2003			25	2	2	0	-		27	2
2004			18	1	2	0	-		20	1
Total			46	3	7	0	0	0	53	3
2005	Vegalta Sendai	J2 League	41	1	1	0	-		42	1
2006			45	0	2	0	-		47	0
2007			41	0	0	0	-		41	0
2008			30	1	0	0	-		30	1
2009			2	0	2	0	-		4	0
Total			159	2	5	0	-		164	2
2010	Sagan Tosu	J2 League	33	3	2	0	-		35	3
2011			38	3	0	0	-		38	3
2012		J1 League	4	0	0	0	0	0	4	0
2013			0	0	0	0	1	0	1	0
Total			75	6	2	0	1	0	78	6
2013	FC Gifu	J2 League	17	1	1	0	-		18	1
2014			25	0	0	0	-		25	0
Total			42	1	1	0	-		43	1
Career total			322	16	17	0	1	0	340	16

External links

• Kosuke Kitani at J.League (archive) (in Japanese)