Yu Kobayashi (footballer)

For the voice actress, see Yū Kobayashi.

Yū Kobayashi (小林 悠, Kobayashi Yū, born 23 September 1987) is a Japanese football player currently playing for Kawasaki Frontale and the Japan national team.^[2]

Yū Kobayashi

Personal information
Full name	Yū Kobayashi
Date of birth	(1987-09-23) 23 September 1987 (age 37)
Place of birth	Machida, Tokyo, Japan
Height	1.77 m (5 ft 10 in)[1]
Position(s)	Forward, winger
Team information
Current team	Kawasaki Frontale
Number	11
Youth career
	Machida JFC
2003–2005	Azabu University Fuchinobe High School
College career
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2006–2009	Takushoku University
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2008	→ Mito HollyHock (loan)	5	(0)
2010–	Kawasaki Frontale	365	(139)
International career
2014–2018	Japan	14	(2)
Medal record Kawasaki Frontale Winner J1 League 2017 Winner J1 League 2018 Runner-up J.League Cup 2017 Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2016
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 6 December 2023

Club statistics

As of match played 6 December 2023^[3]

Club performance			League		Cup		League Cup		Continental		Other1		Total
Season	Club	League	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Japan			League		Emperor's Cup		League Cup		AFC				Total
2008	Mito HollyHock	J2 League	5	0	0	0	–		–		–		5	0
2010	Kawasaki Frontale	J1 League	6	0	2	2	0	0	–		–		8	2
2011			32	12	3	2	4	2	–		–		39	16
2012			26	6	3	2	6	2	–		–		35	10
2013			23	5	2	0	8	2	–		–		33	7
2014			30	12	2	0	2	0	6	3	–		40	15
2015			18	5	2	0	1	0	–		–		21	5
2016			32	15	3	1	2	0	–		–		37	16
2017			34	23	2	0	5	0	10	6	–		51	29
2018			27	15	1	0	0	0	4	0	1	1	33	16
2019			31	13	4	2	1	1	5	1	1	0	42	17
2020			27	14	2	0	5	4	–		–		34	18
2021			33	10	4	2	2	0	2	0	1	1	38	13
2022			30	5	1	0	1	0	6	4	1	0	39	9
2023			16	4	2	0	3	0	2	1	1	1	23	5
Career total			370	139	33	11	40	11	32	15	4	2	481	178

¹=Japanese Super Cup appearances

National team statistics

^[4]

Japan national team
Year	Apps	Goals
2014	2	0
2015	0	0
2016	6	0
2017	3	2
2018	3	0
Total	14	2

International goals

Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first.^[5]

No	Date	Venue	Opponent	Score	Result	Competition
1.	12 December 2017	Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	China	1–0	2–1	2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship
2.	16 December 2017	Ajinomoto Stadium, Tokyo, Japan	South Korea	1–0	1–4	2017 EAFF E-1 Football Championship

Honours

Club

Kawasaki Frontale

• J1 League: 2017, 2018, 2020, 2021
• Emperor's Cup: 2020, 2023^[6]
• J.League Cup: 2019
• Japanese Super Cup: 2019, 2021

Individual

• J.League Player of the Year: 2017
• J.League Top Scorer: 2017
• J.League Best XI: 2016, 2017