Kōki Saitō (footballer)

For the Japanese show-jumping competitor, see Koki Saito (equestrian). For the Japanese baseball player, see Kōki Saitō (baseball).

Kōki Saitō (斉藤 光毅, Saitō Kōki; born 10 August 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer. He plays as a midfielder for EFL Championship side Queens Park Rangers.

Kōki Saitō
斉藤 光毅

Saitō in 2025.
Personal information
Full name	Kōki Saitō[1]
Date of birth	(2001-08-10) 10 August 2001 (age 24)
Place of birth	Tokyo, Japan
Height	1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Queens Park Rangers
Youth career
2008–2013	Inukura SC
2014–2018	Yokohama FC
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2018–2020	Yokohama FC	63	(9)
2021–	Lommel	29	(5)
2022–2024	→ Sparta Rotterdam (loan)	47	(10)
2024–	→ Queens Park Rangers (loan)	39	(3)
International career‡
2017	Japan U16	7	(7)
2017–2018	Japan U17	8	(9)
2018	Japan U18	4	(0)
2018	Japan U19	5	(3)
2019	Japan U20	6	(1)
2022–	Japan U21	5	(1)
2022	Japan U23	6	(1)
Medal record Representing  Japan AFC U-19 Championship 2018
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 5 May 2025 (UTC) ‡ National team caps and goals as of 14:39, 3 January 2024 (UTC)

Club career

After impressive performances with the Japan U-17 team, Kōki Saitō debuted on 21 July 2018 in a league match against FC Gifu.^[2] On his debut, Saitō even had the chance to share the field with Kazuyoshi Miura, who is 34 years his senior.^[3]

In January 2021, he joined Belgian First Division B side Lommel.^[4] In summer 2022 he was loaned to Eredivisie side Sparta.^[5] The loan was extended for the 2023–24 season.^[6]

On 13 August 2024, Saitō joined EFL Championship club Queens Park Rangers on a season-long loan deal.^[7] He made his debut with the club on 17 August, coming on as 67th minute substitute. In the 88th minute of the same match, he assisted Lyndon Dykes to earn 10-man QPR a draw away to Sheffield United.

Career statistics

As of match played 15 February 2025^[8][9]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup[a]		League cup[b]		Continental		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Yokohama FC	2018	J2 League	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	—		2	0
	2019	J2 League	29	6	2	0	0	0	0	0	—		31	6
	2020	J1 League	32	3	0	0	2	0	—		—		34	3
	Total		63	9	2	0	2	0	—		—		67	9
Lommel SK	2020–21	Challenger Pro League	9	0	1	0	–		—		—		10	0
	2021–22	Challenger Pro League	20	5	2	1	–		—		—		22	6
	Total		29	5	3	1	–		—		—		32	6
Sparta Rotterdam (loan)	2022–23	Eredivisie	30	7	2	0	—		—		0	0	32	7
	2023–24	Eredivisie	20	3	0	0	–		—		1[c]	0	21	3
	Total		50	10	2	0	–		–		1	0	53	10
Queens Park Rangers (loan)	2024–25	EFL Championship	32	2	1	0	2	0	—		—		35	2
Career total			174	26	8	1	4	0	0	0	1	0	187	27

1. Includes Emperor's Cup, Belgian Cup, KNVB Cup, FA Cup
2. Includes J. League Cup, EFL Cup
3. Appearances in Eredivisie European Play-offs

Honours

Individual

• Eredivisie Team of the Month: March 2023,^[10]