Hidetoshi Nakata
Hidetoshi Nakata (中田 英寿 Nakata Hidetoshi; born January 22, 1977), is a Japanese football (soccer) player. He is one of the most famous Asian footballers.
After playing for five different clubs in Italy (and winning an Italian league title), Nakata has moved to England in August 2005 to try his luck in the Premiership with a loan spell at Bolton Wanderers. Nakata's first start for Bolton was in the club's first-ever European match, the first leg of their UEFA Cup tie against Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Plovdiv, which Bolton won 2-1.
Nakata has adapted well to the pace and physicality of the English Premier League, forcing his way into contention for a regular starting place with Wanderers, and looks set to become one of manager Sam Allardyce's finer and more unusual signings.
Clubs
- Bolton Wanderers August 2005 - present (loan deal)
- Fiorentina July 2004 - August 2005
- Bologna January 2004 - July 2004 (loan deal)
- Parma July 2001 - January 2004
- Roma January 2000 - July 2001
- Perugia July 1998 - January 2000
- Bellmare Hiratsuka (Japan) 1997 - July 1998
- Japanese national team
- May 1997 - present
- Debut against South Korea
- FIFA World Cup appearances: 1998 2002
Honors
- Selected to FIFA 100: 2004
- Coppa Italia: 2002 (with AC Parma)
- Serie A Champions: 2001 (with AS Roma)
- AFC Asian Player of the Year: 1997 1998