Leo Kokubo

Leo Brian Kokubo (小久保 玲央 ブライアン, Kokubo Reo Buraian; born 23 January 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Belgian team Sint-Truiden.

Leo Kokubo
小久保 玲央

Kokubo with Benfica in 2020
Personal information
Full name	Leo Brian Kokubo
Date of birth	(2001-01-23) 23 January 2001 (age 24)
Place of birth	Chiba, Japan
Height	1.93 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Sint-Truiden
Number	16
Youth career
	Kashiwa Effort
0000–2019	Kashiwa Reysol
2019–2022	Benfica
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2022–2024	Benfica B	25	(0)
2024–	Sint-Truiden	33	(0)
International career‡
2017	Japan U16	1	(0)
2019	Japan U18	1	(0)
2022–	Japan U23	9	(0)
Medal record Men's football Representing  Japan AFC U-23 Asian Cup 2022 Uzbekistan Team 2024 Qatar Team
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 May 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 3 May 2024

International career

Kokubo was born in Japan to a Nigerian father and Japanese mother. He is a youth international for Japan, having represented the Japan U16s, U18s and U23s.^[1]

On 4 April 2024, Kokubo was called up to the Japan U23 squad for the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup.^[2] In the 2024 AFC U-23 Asian Cup final, he saved a penalty from Umarali Rakhmonaliev during stoppage time, helping Japan secure their 1–0 score against Uzbekistan, winning the competition for the second time in their history. He was consequently named as "Man of the match" for his heroic performance in the final.^[3][4]

Career statistics

As of match played 15 February 2025^[5]

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			National cup		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Benfica B	2021–22	Liga Portugal 2	9	0	—		9	0
	2022–23	Liga Portugal 2	0	0	—		0	0
	2023–24	Liga Portugal 2	16	0	—		16	0
	Total		25	0	—		25	0
Sint-Truiden	2024–25	Belgian Pro League	23	0	0	0	23	0
Career total			48	0	0	0	48	0

Honours

Benfica

• Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira: 2023^[6]

Japan U23

• AFC U-23 Asian Cup: 2024