Junichi Inamoto

is a Japanese soccer player who plays in midfielder (soccer) for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Playing career

Inamoto played for Japanese club Gamba Osaka during his last year of high school, signing with the club in 1998. He was then one of many high profile transfers of Asian players to Europe, signing with Arsenal F.C. of the FA Premier League, though he failed to break into the first team, only ever appearing in the Carling Cup. Inamoto scored two goals for the Japan national football team at the 2002 FIFA World Cup, but had already been released by Arsenal shortly before the tournament began. He was then signed by Fulham F.C. on a long-term loan deal from Gamba Osaka. Initially he settled well at the London club, garnering good notices as a tough-tackling midfielder with an eye for a spectacular goal. However, he sustained a fractured tibia in an international friendly against England national football team, and returned to Gamba Osaka to do promotional work. Fulham F.C. were interested in signing him once more, but concerns remained over his recovery from injury.

Inamoto ended up signing with West Bromwich Albion F.C. for a decidedly small £200,000 transfer fee, which was only to be paid once he had made an appearance for the Midlands club. However, Gary Megson departed as West Bromwich Albion manager shortly afterwards, and successor Bryan Robson was unsure of the Japanese's talent. Inamoto was loaned to Cardiff City F.C] for the latter part of the 2004-05 in English football season, and impressed, being recalled to play a role in WBA's survival campaign in the Premiership. In 2005-06 in English football he was a regular in the West Brom side, and was called up to the Japan squad for the 2006 FIFA World Cup, the first Albion player to play in the tournament for 20 years.

In August 31 of 2006, he signed for Galatasaray S.K.. Inamoto scored a superb individual goal in a Champions League clash against Bordeaux, but could not prevent Galatasaray from losing 3-1 and finishing at the bottom of group with four points.

On 29 May, 2007 it was revealed that he signed a two-year contract with German club Eintracht Frankfurt, joining on a free transfer. Inamoto was presented in a press conference joins fellow Japanese striker Naohiro Takahara in Frankfurt.

- Eintracht Frankfurt (2007-)
- Galatasaray (2006-2007)
- West Bromwich Albion F.C] (2004-2006)
- Cardiff City F.C] (December 2004-March 2005) (on loan from West Bromwich Albion F.C.)
- Fulham F.C] (2002-2004) (on loan from Gamba Osaka)
- Arsenal F.C] (2001-2002) (on loan from Gamba Osaka)
- Gamba Osaka (1997-2002)
- Gamba Osaka Youth (U-18 team) (1995-1997)
- Gamba Osaka Junior-Youth (U-15 team) (1992-1994)
- Seiei Gakuen S.C. (1985-?)