All Japanese players to win Premier League

Shinji Kagawa was the first Japanese to play for the Red Devils.

Over the years, some of the finest Japanese players have plied their trade in the topmost division of English football. From winning the Premier League title with Leicester City in the most miraculous fashion or becoming the first-ever Japanese player to sign for Manchester United, this elite list of Japanese players to win multiple Premier League titles is rare and very precious.

From Takumi Minamino’s exceptional campaign with Liverpool to Wataru Endo becoming the fourth Japanese player to lift the Premier League trophy, players from Japan have left an indelible mark on the Premier League.

Their midfield creativity, sharp shooting skills, and flexibility to switch positions make them invaluable assets for any team they represent in the Premier League. In this feature article, we will take a look at the most successful Japanese players in the Premier League who have won the championship.

We will delve deep into those campaigns where they lifted the trophy and examine what made them some of the most important pieces in the jigsaw puzzle of their respective teams.

4. Shinji Kagawa (Manchester United – 2012/13)

Shinji Kagawa has been one of the most impressive Japanese footballers to ever play in the Premier League. He holds the record of becoming the first Asian player to score a hat-trick in the Premier League. After his successful stint with Borussia Dortmund in the 2011-12 season of the Bundesliga, he decided to switch his allegiance to the Manchester-based outfit when he joined the Red Devils in 2012.

He played his first match in the Premier League in a 1-0 defeat to Everton. He scored his debut goal against Fulham for the Manchester United outfit. Kagawa played a crucial role in helping Manchester United win the Premier League title in his debut season.

He was also an exceptional performer in the title-clinching match against Aston Villa, which the Red Devils won 3-0 against the Birmingham-based outfit. Additionally, he featured in the iconic match for United that paid tribute to Sir Alex Ferguson before his retirement, further cementing his place in the history of the club.

3. Shinji Okazaki (Leicester City – 2015/16)

Shinji Okazaki, after plying his trade with Vfb Stuttgart and Mainz 05, joined Leicester City back in 2015, where he played a crucial role in helping the club miraculously win the Premier League title. After his successful spells with two top clubs in Europe, he made his move to Leicester City and debuted for the club in a 4-2 win against Sunderland, also scoring his first goal against West Ham United.

His exceptional performances during the 2015-16 season earned him the Asian International Player of the Year award for that particular season. The extraordinary campaign not only highlighted his contributions domestically but also saw him shine in the UEFA Champions League the following season, where he became the sixth Japanese player to score a UCL goal.

Notably, he is also the third all-time highest goalscorer in Japan’s history, further solidifying his legendary status both at the club and international levels.

2. Takumi Minamino (Liverpool – 2019/20)

Takumi Minamino, the 30-year-old Japanese attacking midfielder from Izumisano, plied his trade with clubs like Cerezo Osaka and Red Bull Salzburg before joining Liverpool in 2020. He became the first Japanese player to sign for the Liverpool outfit. He spent two seasons at the club, one of which also included a short loan period at Southampton.

He made a total of 30 appearances for the Reds and scored four goals. He was a crucial player in the 2019-20 campaign in which Liverpool won the Premier League title. After he was signed by Liverpool, Salzburg’s sporting director remarked that Takumi had been closely watched by big clubs.

He was ready to make the next move. He made his debut for Liverpool against Everton in the 2019-20 FA Cup win, while his Premier League debut came against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

1. Wataru Endo (Liverpool – 2024/25)

Wataru Endo, the Japanese centre-back-cum-defensive midfielder from Yokohama, made his move to Liverpool after plying his trade with clubs like VFB Stuttgart and Urawa Red Diamonds. He became the second Japanese player to sign for Liverpool after Takumi Minamino. Signing a Japanese player and winning silverware has become synonymous with Liverpool’s success.

Endo also brought a lot of good fortune for the new coach, as Arne Slot helped Liverpool win the Premier League. Since joining Liverpool in 2023, he has made 46 appearances and scored a single goal for the Reds. His debut goal came in a 5-1 win over Toulouse in a UEFA Europa League fixture at Anfield Stadium.

He soon became a fan favourite at Anfield and went on to anchor both the defence and the defensive midfield role. In December 2023, for his exceptional performances, he was adjudged Liverpool’s Player of the Month. He also played a crucial role in the 2024 Carabao Cup final, where Liverpool defeated Chelsea 1-0, marking Endo’s first trophy with the club.

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