Yusuke Kato

Yusuke Kato is a Japanese former football midfielder born on February 13, 1986. He made history as the second Japanese player to compete in Argentina's Primera División after Naohiro Takahara. At age 14, he moved to Argentina and later returned after high school to pursue his football career.

Kato joined Huracán in Argentina from 2006 to 2010, making 15 league appearances and scoring once, with his first goal against Talleres de Cordoba in 2007. He also played under notable managers like Antonio Mohamed, who praised his scoring ability, and Osvaldo Ardiles, who believed he could excel in the J League.

In 2012, Kato signed with Dempo S.C. in India's I-League, scoring his first goal on March 24, 2012. He later joined Muktijoddha Sangsad KC in Bangladesh for the 2018-19 season. After a brief period with Sheikh Jamal Dhanmondi, he returned to Muktijoddha in November 2020. Facing financial challenges, Kato helped secure donations from the Japanese community, enabling the club to compete and finish tenth in the 2021 Bangladesh Premier League.

Kato retired on November 18, 2021, and briefly served as a coach for Muktijoddha, earning recognition as a club legend. His honors include the I-League title with Dempo in 2011-12 and a runner-up finish in the Hong Kong FA Cup with South China in 2016-17.