Ren Katō

Ren Katō
加藤 蓮
Personal information
Full name Ren Katō
Date of birth (1999-12-28) 28 December 1999 (age 26)
Place of birth Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position Left-back
Team information
Current team
 Kyoto Sanga
Number 26
Youth career
Zenibako SSS
–2017 Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
College career
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2018–2021 Meiji University
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2021–2023 Tokyo Verdy 69 (5)
2024–2026 Yokohama F. Marinos 74 (2)
2026– Kyoto Sanga 7 (0)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 1 August 2026

Ren Katō (加藤 蓮, Katō Ren; born 28 December 1999) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a left-back for club Kyoto Sanga.

Early life

Katō was born in Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan.

Club career

In September 2021, while studying at the Meiji University, it was announced that Katō would sign for J2 League side Tokyo Verdy for the 2022 season. He would link up with his new team as a designated special player for the duration of the 2021 season.

Katō made his debut for Verdy against Thespakusatsu Gunma on 13 March 2022, coming on as a substitute in the 59th minute for his teammate Kohei Yamakoshi. He would score his first goal for the club in a 1–0 victory over Oita Trinita, on the 3rd of April 2022, scoring in the 42nd minute.

Katō made 40 appearances for Verdy in the 2023 J2 League season, helping them gain promotion to the top-flight through the play-offs.

In December 2023, it was announced that Katō would be moving to J1 League club Yokohama F. Marinos for the 2024 season.

After three seasons with Yokohama F. Marinos, Katō transferred to Kyoto Sanga FC ahead of the 2026–27 J1 League season.

Career statistics

Club

As of 14 October 2026.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup League cup Continental Other Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Tokyo Verdy 2022 J2 League 30310––00313
2023 J2 League 39200––10402
Total 69510000010715
Yokohama F. Marinos 2024 J1 League 271501070–361
2025 J1 League 270102000–300
2026 J1 (100) 201––00–201
Total 74260307000902
Kyoto Sanga 2026–27 J1 League 70101020–110
Career total 1507804090101727
  1. ↑ Includes Emperor's Cup
  2. ↑ Includes J.League Cup
  3. ↑ Appearance in J1/J2 play-offs
  4. 1 2 Appearances in AFC Champions League Elite

References

  1. ↑ "加藤蓮選手（明治大学）加入内定のお知らせ" [Announcement of unofficial decision to join Ren Katō (Meiji University)]. verdy.co.jp (in Japanese). 17 September 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  2. ↑ "伝統の明治大出身サイドバックがまた一人…東京V内定DF加藤蓮「プレッシャーではなく、それは誇り」" [There is another full back from the traditional Meiji University ... Tokyo V informal defender Ren Katō "It's not pressure, it's pride"]. web.gekisaka.jp (in Japanese). 3 December 2021. Retrieved 13 March 2022.
  3. ↑ "ThespaKusatsu Gunma vs Tokyo Verdy - 13 March 2022". int.soccerway.com.
  4. ↑ "Tokyo Verdy vs Oita Trinita - 3 April 2022". int.soccerway.com.
  5. ↑ "加藤 蓮選手 完全移籍加入のお知らせ | ニュース". 横浜F・マリノス 公式サイト (in Japanese). 27 December 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2024.
  6. ↑ "加藤蓮選手 横浜F・マリノスより完全移籍加入のお知らせ". sanga-fc.jp. Retrieved 14 October 2026.
  7. ↑ "Soccer D.B. : 2024 Ren Katō Result by Season". Soccer D.B. Retrieved 1 April 2024.