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Junya Itō
Japanese footballer (born 1993) From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Junya Itō (伊東 純也, Itō Jun'ya; born 9 March 1993) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger or a forward for Belgian Pro League club Genk and the Japan national team.
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Club career
Early club career
After attending Kanagawa University for four years,[2] Itō first became a Special Designated Player for Ventforet Kofu,[3] and obtained a new contract with the J1 League side.[4] His first professional season attracted attention from Chiba-based Kashiwa Reysol, which signed him in January 2016.[5]
On 31 January 2019, Itō moved from Kashiwa Reysol to Genk on a one-year loan.[6] On 18 September, he made his Champions League debut as a starter in the group stage match against Red Bull Salzburg. On 30 March 2020, Itō signed permanently with Genk on a three-year contract.[7]
Stade Reims and return to Genk
On 29 July 2022, Itō joined Ligue 1 club Reims.[8] On 23 October, he scored the winner in a 2–1 victory against Auxerre.[9] In the 2023–24 Ligue 1 opening game on 12 August 2023, Itō scored a stunning opening goal against Marseille, but Reims eventually lost 2–1.[citation needed] In August 2025, following his club's relegation from Ligue 1 in the 2024–25 season, Itō returned to Genk and signed a three-year contract.[10]
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International career
Itō made his Japan national team debut[clarification needed] in 2017.[citation needed] He was selected for Hajime Moriyasu's final World Cup squad in October 2022.[11]
Controversy
Adultery and sexual assault allegations
On 31 January 2024, Shukan Shincho reported that police had launched an investigation into Itō following a criminal complaint filed by two women alleging that he had engaged in sexual misconduct with them while they were intoxicated at a hotel in Osaka without their consent after a match for Japan against Peru in June 2023.[12]
In response to this report, the Japan Football Association decided on February 1 to withdraw Ito from the ongoing 2023 AFC Asian Cup after considering Ito's physical and mental condition.[13]
On 1 February, Itō filed a criminal complaint against the two women with the Osaka Prefectural Police for filing false complaints. On 19 February, he filed a lawsuit against the two women at the Osaka District Court, claiming that their sponsorship contracts were terminated due to false complaints and demanding 200 million yen in damages.[14]
The case was transferred to the Tokyo District Court in May and both Itō and the women were referred to prosecutors in July.[15][16] On 9 August, prosecutors dropped both charges against Ito and Ito's countersuit on his accusers, citing lack of evidence.[17]
Career statistics
Club
- Appearances in AFC Champions League
- Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- Appearances in UEFA Champions League
- Appearance in Belgian Super Cup
- Appearance in Ligue 1 relegation/promotion play-offs
International
- As of match played 25 March 2025[22]
- Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Itō goal.
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Honours
Genk
Reims
- Coupe de France runner-up: 2024–25[25]
Individual
- Belgian First Division A Team of the Season: 2020–21[26]
- Belgian First Division A top assist provider: 2021–22[27]
- Belgian First Division A Goal of the Season: 2021–22[28]
- Japan Pro-Footballers Association Best XI: 2022, 2023, 2024[29]
References
External links
Wikiwand - on
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