Noriyoshi Sakai

Noriyoshi Sakai (酒井 宣福, Sakai Noriyoshi, born 9 November 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who currently play for J2 League club, Sagan Tosu. A versatile midfielder, Sakai can play in many different positions, although left wing is his preferred position.

Noriyoshi Sakai
酒井 宣福

Personal information
Full name	Noriyoshi Sakai
Date of birth	(1992-11-09) 9 November 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth	Sanjō, Niigata, Japan
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position(s)	Winger, forward, right back
Team information
Current team	Sagan Tosu
Youth career
2008–2010	Teikyo Nagaoka High School
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2011–2017	Albirex Niigata	44	(1)
2014–2015	→ Avispa Fukuoka (loan)	82	(17)
2016	→ Fagiano Okayama (loan)	10	(0)
2018–2021	Omiya Ardija	67	(5)
2021	Sagan Tosu	34	(8)
2022–2024	Nagoya Grampus	56	(7)
2024	→ Renofa Yamaguchi (Loan)	10	(2)
2025–	Sagan Tosu	0	(0)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 5 January 2025, 11:00 (UTC)

He is the younger brother of current Vissel Kobe player and former Albirex Niigata teammate Gotoku Sakai.

Club career

On 2 November 2010, Sakai signed for J. League club Albirex Niigata.^[1] He made his J. League debut on 7 May 2011, coming on as a substitute for Yoshiyuki Kobayashi against Omiya Ardija.^[2]

After Nagoya Grampus contract expired for 2024 season, Noriyoshi was announced that he would return to J2 relegated club, Sagan Tosu from 2025 season.

Personal life

Sakai is the younger brother of Gōtoku Sakai who is currently playing for J1 League club Vissel Kobe while his youngest brother, Goson Sakai who is also a professional footballer who last played for German club, FV Illertissen.

Career statistics

Club

As of the start from 2025 season^[3][4][5]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		League cup		Other		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		J. League Cup		Other		Total
Albirex Niigata	2011	J.League Div 1	3	0	0	0	0	0	–		3	0
	2012		2	0	1	0	1	0	–		4	0
	2013		7	0	1	0	3	0	–		11	0
	2016	J1 League	9	0	0	0	3	0	–		12	0
	2017		11	1	1	0	2	0	–		14	1
	Total		32	1	3	0	9	0	0	0	44	1
Avispa Fukuoka (loan)	2014	J.League Div 2	37	7	1	0	–		–		38	7
	2015	J2 League	39	7	3	3	–		2[a]	0	44	10
	Total		76	14	4	3	0	0	2	0	82	17
Fagiano Okayama (loan)	2016	J2 League	6	0	2	0	–		2[a]	0	10	0
Omiya Ardija	2018		36	3	0	0	–		1[b]	0	37	3
	2019		22	2	2	0	–		1[b]	0	25	2
	2020		5	0	0	0	–		–		5	0
	Total		63	5	2	0	0	0	2	0	67	5
Sagan Tosu	2021	J1 League	29	8	3	0	2	0	–		34	8
Nagoya Grampus	2022		17	2	0	0	5	1	–		22	3
	2023		20	0	4	0	4	4	–		28	4
	2024		3	0	1	0	1	0	–		5	0
Renofa Yamaguchi	2024	J2 League	10	2	–						10	2
Sagan Tosu	2025		0	0	0	0	0	0	–		0	0
Career total			256	32	20	3	21	5	6	0	303	40

1. J1 League Promotion play-off
2. J1/J2 Play-offs