Keisuke Gotō

Keisuke Gotō
Personal information
Date of birth (2005-06-03) 3 June 2005 (age 21)
Place of birth Hamamatsu, Shizuoka, Japan
Height 1.91 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position Forward
Team information
Current team
 SC Freiburg
Number 42
Youth career
2012–2017 Kawai SC
2018–2022 Júbilo Iwata
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2022–2023 Júbilo Iwata 33 (7)
2024 → RSCA Futures (loan) 14 (6)
2024–2026 RSCA Futures 16 (7)
2025–2026 Anderlecht 6 (2)
2025–2026 → Sint-Truiden (loan) 38 (11)
2026– SC Freiburg 6 (1)
International career‡
2020 Japan U16 4 (0)
2022–2023 Japan U18 2 (1)
2025 Japan U20 1 (0)
2025– Japan 6 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 18 October 2026
‡ National team caps and goals as of 28 September 2026

Keisuke Gotō (後藤 啓介, Gotō Keisuke; born 3 June 2005) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for Bundesliga club SC Freiburg and the Japan national team.

Club career

Júbilo Iwata

Born in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, Gotō joined Júbilo Iwata's academy in 2018; he then came through the club's youth ranks, while attending Iwata Higashi High School, and made his first-team debut on 20 July 2022, coming on as a substitute against Tokyo Verdy in the fourth round of the Emperor's Cup. In October of the same year, he signed his first professional contract with the club.

In January 2023, Gotō was officially promoted to Iwata's senior team ahead of the 2023 J2 League season. On 18 February 2023, he made his league debut aged 17 years and 260 days, coming on as a substitute for Kenyu Sugimoto in the 64th minute before scoring a brace in a 3–2 home defeat to Fagiano Okayama, breaking Iwata's club record for youngest scorer previously held by Naohiro Takahara, who scored aged 18 years and 290 days. On 18 March, Gotō made his first professional start in a 2–2 draw against Shimizu S-Pulse in the Shizuoka derby and scored in the 2nd minute. Throughout the season, the striker scored seven goals in 33 league appearances for Iwata, helping the team finish second in the league table and, as a result, gain promotion back to the J1 League after a single year of absence.

Anderlecht

On 28 November 2023, Belgian Pro League side Anderlecht announced that Gotō would join the team on a season-long loan, with an option to buy, starting from 1 January 2024. He was initially assigned to the club's reserve team, RSCA Futures.

On 12 January 2024, he made his debut for RSCA Futures, scoring a penalty kick in a 1–1 league draw against Beerschot. Gotō finished the season with six goals and one assist from 14 appearances. On 5 December, Anderlecht permanently signed Gotō until June 2028.

On 16 January 2025, he made his debut for Anderlecht, coming off the bench in the 40th minute in a 1–0 win against Antwerp in the 1st leg of the Belgian Cup semifinals. On 19 January, Gotō made his league debut against K.V. Kortrijk, replacing Luis Vázquez in the 83rd minute. On 26 January, he made his first start for Anderlecht, scoring a header in the 24th minute assisted by Thorgan Hazard in a 4–1 victory against K.V. Mechelen. On 30 January, Gotō made his UEFA Europa League debut against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim, in which he scored in the 79th minute, making the game 2–4. Anderlecht went on to lose the match 3–4. Gotō spent most of the 2024–25 season with RSCA Futures, making 16 appearances for them; scoring seven while assisting two. For Anderlecht, Gotō made ten appearances in all competitions and scored three goals.

Loan to Sint-Truiden

On 7 August 2025, Gotō was loaned out to fellow Belgian Pro League club Sint-Truiden on a deal excluding an option to buy. Gotō played his first game for Sint-Truiden on 8 August against Dender, coming on in the 80th minute for Andrés Ferrari. Gotō scored his first goal for Sint-Truiden against La Louvière in the 91st minute assisted by Rihito Yamamoto on 17 August, making the game 2–1. On 3 December, Gotō scored a brace in a 3–3 draw against Antwerp in the Croky Cup. However, Sint-Truiden lost the game on penalties, eliminating them from the tournament. On 26 December, Gotō scored another brace, this time against Standard Liège in a 2–1 win in the Pro League. On 16 January 2026, Gotō won the Pro League December Player of the Month award after scoring three goals with one assist. On 21 February, Gotō assisted twice in a 2–1 win against Dender. On 3 May, Gotō caused controversy after celebrating a 2–0 win against parent club Anderlecht at full-time after scoring in the 75th minute, which infuriated some players on the opposition side. This incident created speculation that Gotō might not play for Anderlecht again. On 12 May, Gotō helped Sint-Truiden secure their place in the 2026–27 UEFA Conference League after a 0–2 loss against Club Brugge, the first time they have participated in an European competition since 2003.

SC Freiburg

On 11 June 2026, Gotō signed for SC Freiburg of the Bundesliga for a fee around €13 million. Gotō's first official game was a 2026–27 UEFA Conference League qualifier match against Scottish side Motherwell F.C., where he found the net, scoring a header from a corner in the 96th minute. Gotō also scored in the return fixture on 28 August, netting a goal in a 4–1 win. On 30 August, Gotō replaced Yuito Suzuki to make his Bundesliga debut against SV Werder Bremen in the 79th minute. He was booked for a challenge and failed to find the net. Gotō's first Bundesliga goal came on 11 October against FC Schalke 04, where he came on as a substitute in the 69th minute and headed a cross from Vincenzo Grifo past Loris Karius in the 85th minute. Gotō made his first league start of the year on 18 October against Bayer 04 Leverkusen, but failed to take a shot on goal as he was substituted in the 64th minute for Lucas Höler.

International career

Gotō was a youth international for Japan, having represented the under-18 national team.

On 6 November 2025, Gotō was called up to play for Japan by head coach Hajime Moriyasu to play in the Kirin Challenge Cup for a set a matches against Ghana and Bolivia. On 15 November, Gotō made his national team debut when he replaced Ayase Ueda in the 75th minute in a 2–0 win against Ghana.

On 19 March 2026, Gotō was selected for Japan's friendlies against Scotland and England. On 29 March, Gotō made his first international start against Scotland, but failed to find the back of the net.

On 15 May 2026, Gotō was selected in Japan's 26-man roster for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was the youngest member of the squad. Gotō made his World Cup debut when he replaced Ayase Ueda in the 84th minute of a group stage fixture against Tunisia, which ended in a 4–0 win. Gotō's appearance at 21 years and 17 days old made him the second youngest Japanese player to feature in the World Cup.

Personal life

On 31 March 2026, in response to being compared to Erling Haaland, Gotō revealed that his footballing idol was Harry Kane, who plays for Bundesliga club Bayern Munich. Gotō also mentioned that he tries to imitate Shunsuke Nakamura's free-kick technique.

Career statistics

Club

As of match played 18 October 2026
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Júbilo Iwata 2022 J1 League 0010——10
2023 J2 League 3371050—397
Total 3372050—407
RSCA Futures (loan) 2023–24 Challenger Pro League 146———146
2024–25 Challenger Pro League 155———155
Total 2911———2911
RSCA Futures 2024–25 Challenger Pro League 22———22
Anderlecht 2024–25 Belgian Pro League 7210—21103
Sint-Truiden (loan) 2025–26 Belgian Pro League 381122——4013
SC Freiburg 2026–27 Bundesliga 6110—32102
Career total 1153262505313137

References

  1. ↑ "17歳の長身FW後藤啓介がJデビュー戦で衝撃2発！高校2年生ながら今季ジュビロ磐田でトップ昇格 | 高校サッカードットコム". koko-soccer.com.
  2. 1 2 3 "「海外で活躍することを期待する選手」磐田U-18FW後藤啓介が"飛び級"昇格「早く皆さんの前でプレーできるように」". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). 21 October 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  3. 1 2 "中盤もこなす万能長身 磐田ＦＷ後藤啓介". chunichi.co.jp (in Japanese). Chunichi Shimbun. 11 January 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  4. 1 2 "「高原以来の衝撃！」 磐田17歳の高校2年生FW、3分間2発の鮮烈Jデビュー戦に驚愕「スター候補」「バケモンすぎ」". football-zone.net (in Japanese). 19 February 2023. Retrieved 3 March 2023.
  5. ↑ "Tokyo Verdy vs. Júbilo Iwata - 20 July 2022". Soccerway. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  6. ↑ "ジュビロ磐田U-18 後藤 啓介選手 加入内定のお知らせ". www.jubilo-iwata.co.jp (in Japanese). Jubilo Iwata. 21 October 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  7. ↑ ""補強禁止"の磐田が新体制を発表…大津祐樹が11番から77番に変更、森岡陸が3番に". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). 9 January 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  8. ↑ Teruya, Ken; Kuroda, Sokichi (17 February 2023). "勝って高みへ J2きょう開幕、静岡県内3チーム参戦：朝日新聞デジタル" (in Japanese). Asahi Shimbun. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  9. ↑ "Ｊ２ ジュビロ 開幕戦 黒星スタートも新人が活躍｜NHK 静岡県のニュース". NHK NEWS WEB. NHK. 18 February 2023. Archived from the original on 18 February 2023. Retrieved 18 February 2023.
  10. ↑ "暗雲に差した"希望の光"…磐田の17歳FW後藤啓介の豪快ヘッドに脚光「救世主」「スーパー高校生」「将来大物」". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). 19 February 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  11. ↑ "【磐田】17歳260日の後藤啓介が高原超えクラブ最年少弾含む２発も惜敗「喜びと悔しさ半々」 - Ｊ２ : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  12. ↑ "ダービー譲らずドロー Ｊ２磐田２度先行も清水追いつく：中日新聞しずおかWeb". 中日新聞Web (in Japanese). Retrieved 15 January 2026.
  13. 1 2 3 Goebbels, Yannick (28 November 2023). "C'est officiel : Anderlecht se renforce avec Keisuke Gotō, un Japonais de 18 ans". Le Soir (in Belgian French). Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  14. 1 2 Kamata, Naohide (28 November 2023). "【磐田】FW後藤啓介がベルギー１部アンデルレヒトに期限付き移籍発表「必ず成功出来るように」 - Ｊ２ : 日刊スポーツ". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  15. ↑ Ishikawa, Hidekazu (12 November 2023). "【J2】磐田が逆転２位でＪ１昇格、東京Ｖ３位でＪ１昇格ＰＯへ、清水は４位転落／最終節まとめ - Ｊ２ : 日刊スポーツ". Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  16. ↑ News, Kyodo (28 November 2023). "Football: 18-yr-old Iwata forward Gotō joining Anderlecht on loan". Kyodo News. Retrieved 3 December 2023. {{cite web}}: |last1= has generic name (help)
  17. ↑ "RSC Anderlecht sign Keisuke Gotō". www.rsca.be. RSC Anderlecht. 28 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  18. ↑ Lizin, Cédric (28 November 2023). "Anderlecht prépare l'avenir avec l'attaquant japonais Keisuke Gotō, 18 ans". RTBF (in Belgian French). Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  19. ↑ "Beerschot v RSCA Futures game report". Soccerway. 12 January 2024. Retrieved 12 January 2024.
  20. ↑ Communications, RSCA (5 December 2024). "Keisuke Goto signs until 2028". Royal Sporting Club Anderlecht. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  21. ↑ ゲキサカ編集部 (17 January 2025). "19歳FW後藤啓介がアンデルレヒトでトップチームデビュー!! 191cm長身活かしたポストプレーなどで勝利に貢献". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  22. ↑ "Terugkerende Thorgan Hazard en debuterende Huerta bezorgen matig Anderlecht zege tegen tienkoppig Kortrijk". Nieuwsblad (in Belgian Dutch). 19 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  23. ↑ "Efficiënt Anderlecht spoelt Europese kater door en wint met ruime cijfers van KV Mechelen". Nieuwsblad (in Belgian Dutch). 26 January 2025. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
  24. ↑ UEFA.com. "History: Anderlecht 3-4 Hoffenheim | UEFA Europa League 2024/25". UEFA.com. Retrieved 6 August 2025.
  25. ↑ "Keisuke Goto Stats, Goals, Records, Assists, Cups and more". FBref.com. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  26. ↑ "Keisuke Goto joins STVV on loan | RSCA Youth". neerpede.rsca.be. Retrieved 8 August 2025.
  27. ↑ "Sint-Truiden vs Dender: First Division A stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 August 2025.
  28. ↑ "Sint-Truiden vs. Raal La Louviere Box Score and Stats - August 17, 2025". www.foxsports.com. Retrieved 18 August 2025.
  29. ↑ "野澤大志ブランドンがPK戦で2本ストップ! 日本代表対決で後藤啓介に2G1Aを許すも8強進出に貢献（ゲキサカ）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 4 December 2025. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
  30. ↑ "Goto nekt Standard met 2 doelpunten (VIDEO)". Voetbal Belgie (in Dutch). 27 December 2025.
  31. ↑ Franken, Christophe (19 January 2026). "Keisuke Goto (Saint-Trond) est le joueur du mois en Pro League : "Je suis prêt à être titulaire à Anderlecht mais on verra ça après la Coupe du monde"". DHnet (in French). Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  32. ↑ ゲキサカ編集部 (18 January 2026). "後藤啓介がベルギー・リーグ月間MVP!! アンデルレヒト17歳MFに連絡「今回は僕の名前が入っている」". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). Retrieved 19 January 2026.
  33. ↑ ゲキサカ編集部 (22 February 2026). "伊藤涼太郎1G1A、後藤啓介2A、山本理仁1G!! 谷口彰悟も長距離ドリブルでゴール関与のシントトロイデンが3連勝". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  34. ↑ 東スポWEB (24 April 2026). "後藤啓介が一触即発！ 過剰アピールにアンデルレヒト激怒「あんなに喜ぶべきじゃない」". NEWSjp (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  35. ↑ サカノワスタッフ (12 May 2026). "シント＝トロイデン3位で欧州切符。20歳FW後藤啓介のW杯日本代表選出なるか" (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  36. ↑ "SC sign Keisuke Goto | SC Freiburg". www.scfreiburg.com. Retrieved 11 June 2026.
  37. ↑ Belgian, Get; read, Dutch Football News·1 min (11 June 2026). "Keisuke Goto's fine season for Sint Truiden pays off with Freiburg move". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved 11 June 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  38. ↑ "後藤啓介がフライブルクデビュー戦でゴール！打点の高いヘディング弾 | Goal.com 日本". www.goal.com (in Japanese). 20 August 2026. Retrieved 21 August 2026.
  39. ↑ Club, Motherwell Football; Gibson, Scott (29 August 2026). "Proud of our club // SC Freiburg 4-1 Motherwell". Motherwell Football Club. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  40. ↑ Text, Live. "Freiburg vs Werder Bremen: German Bundesliga stats & head-to-head". BBC Sport. Retrieved 30 August 2026.
  41. ↑ "Goals, gratitude, and a thumbs-up: Keisuke Goto's memorable evening in Freiburg - Get German Football News". 11 October 2026. Retrieved 16 October 2026.
  42. ↑ "Leverkusen 2-1 Freiburg Player Ratings: Maza 9, Schick 9". The False 9. 18 October 2026. Retrieved 18 October 2026.
  43. ↑ "【Match Report】U-17 Japan National Team win over Denmark to claim title - International U-18 Friendly Tournament". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Japan Football Association. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  44. ↑ "クロアチア遠征のU-17日本代表がU-18デンマークに快勝。2勝1敗でInternational U-18 Friendly Tournament制覇". ゲキサカ (in Japanese). 25 November 2023. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  45. ↑ "SAMURAI BLUE (Japan National Team) squad & schedule - KIRIN CHALLENGE CUP 2025 vs Ghana (11/14＠Aichi) vs Bolivia (11/18＠Tokyo)". www.jfa.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 November 2025.
  46. ↑ "北野颯太＆後藤啓介が日本代表デビュー！ 19歳佐藤龍之介も含めた"若手3人衆"に森保監督が期待すること（サッカーキング）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 14 November 2025.[dead link]
  47. ↑ "日本代表、イギリス遠征招集メンバーを発表！ 冨安健洋が復帰、塩貝健人が初招集…W杯メンバー発表最後のテストマッチ | Goal.com 日本". www.goal.com (in Japanese). 19 March 2026. Retrieved 13 May 2026.
  48. ↑ "新たな才能発見！？ サッカー日本代表、後藤啓介がメンバー入りへ前進？スコットランドに通用した隠れたプレー（フットボールチャンネル）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 13 May 2026.[dead link]
  49. ↑ "Mitoma misses out as Japan squad named". www.fifa.com. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  50. ↑ "【日本代表】 DF谷口彰悟選手、FW後藤啓介選手がFIFAワールドカップ2026™️に臨むSAMURAI BLUEメンバーに選出". STVV（シント＝トロイデンVV）日本公式サイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  51. ↑ "W杯日本代表最年少の20歳・後藤啓介「ワクワクが止まらない」191センチ大型FW、国際Aマッチ3試合での選出に笑顔（中日スポーツ）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Archived from the original on 18 May 2026. Retrieved 16 May 2026.
  52. ↑ "【Ｗ杯】後藤啓介がＷ杯デビュー、日本歴代Ｗ杯年少２位の２１歳１７日 「試合を終わらせる状況。次につながる」 （スポーツ報知）". Yahoo!ニュース (in Japanese). Retrieved 21 June 2026.
  53. ↑ "「ああいう名手がいる間に聞きたい」後藤啓介が中村俊輔コーチにFK伝授を志願「元から蹴り方は真似している」【日本代表】 | サッカーダイジェストWeb". www.soccerdigestweb.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 7 June 2026.
  54. ↑ Keisuke Gotō at Soccerway