JUNICHI INAMOTO Who remembers the not so little Japanese international who came down to Cardiff on loan from West Brom in 2004
Starting his career as a 16 year old with Gamba Osaka he became the first Japanese player to play in the Premiership when he joined Arsenal in July 2001. Things didn't go according to plan though. He thought a move to England's elite league would catapult him into the big time, but he spent most of his Arsenal days in the reserves, appearing in a couple of cup games and picking up the nickname 'T-shirt' (suggesting he was no more than a shirt selling commodity). He was then released just before the 2002 World Cup.
What a contrast the 2002 World Cup in his home country turned out to be. His goal against Russia recorded Japan's first ever win in World Cup finals, and in the 3 group games he scored twice, getting 2 man of the match awards as Japan progressed through to the next round.
And then Fulham came knocking, with Inamoto signing a season long loan deal. He was now huge back home in Japan, and his Premiership status meant a 24 hour 'Junichi watch' by Japanese reporters who'd report his every move. His time at Craven Cottage was successful, making 58 appearances over 2 seasons, but they failed to sign him permanently when he fractured his tibia in an international friendly against England.
Gary Megson took him to West Brom in August 2004 for a meagre £200,000 but he was sacked 2 months later with Bryan Robson taking over in the November. Inamoto was still recovering from his earlier injury and in December 2004 in a bid to improve his match fitness, Lennie Lawrence brought him to Cardiff on a months loan. I remember thinking at the time that this was a really interesting signing, having seen some impressive performances on Match of the Day, and bearing in mind that City were just above the relegation places in 21st place.
Ninian Park's first glimpse of him came when he replaced Jobi McAnuff in a 1-1 home draw against Wolves on Boxing Day, earning a huge roar as he did the Ayatollah as he warmed up. From then on, he impressed, slotting into the centre of the park alongside Graham Kavanagh. His loan deal was extended until March with the last of his 16 appearances for the Bluebirds coming in a 1-1 home draw against Crewe.
He returned to the Hawthorns, but a lack of first team football and a lack of Bryan Robson's faith in him saw him make only 29 appearances over the next 2 seasons.
By this time he was falling out of favour with the national time also. Japan's disappointing exit in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup saw Inamoto make 1 start and 1 one sub. After Germany, it was time to move on again. He moved onto Turkey for one solid but unspectacular season playing for Galatasaray, and then to Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga where's he been since 2007
It's fair to say that his time in England was checkered, but his brief spell at Cardiff served as a reminder of his quality and talent.
Starting his career as a 16 year old with Gamba Osaka he became the first Japanese player to play in the Premiership when he joined Arsenal in July 2001. Things didn't go according to plan though. He thought a move to England's elite league would catapult him into the big time, but he spent most of his Arsenal days in the reserves, appearing in a couple of cup games and picking up the nickname 'T-shirt' (suggesting he was no more than a shirt selling commodity). He was then released just before the 2002 World Cup.
What a contrast the 2002 World Cup in his home country turned out to be. His goal against Russia recorded Japan's first ever win in World Cup finals, and in the 3 group games he scored twice, getting 2 man of the match awards as Japan progressed through to the next round.
And then Fulham came knocking, with Inamoto signing a season long loan deal. He was now huge back home in Japan, and his Premiership status meant a 24 hour 'Junichi watch' by Japanese reporters who'd report his every move. His time at Craven Cottage was successful, making 58 appearances over 2 seasons, but they failed to sign him permanently when he fractured his tibia in an international friendly against England.
Gary Megson took him to West Brom in August 2004 for a meagre £200,000 but he was sacked 2 months later with Bryan Robson taking over in the November. Inamoto was still recovering from his earlier injury and in December 2004 in a bid to improve his match fitness, Lennie Lawrence brought him to Cardiff on a months loan. I remember thinking at the time that this was a really interesting signing, having seen some impressive performances on Match of the Day, and bearing in mind that City were just above the relegation places in 21st place.
Ninian Park's first glimpse of him came when he replaced Jobi McAnuff in a 1-1 home draw against Wolves on Boxing Day, earning a huge roar as he did the Ayatollah as he warmed up. From then on, he impressed, slotting into the centre of the park alongside Graham Kavanagh. His loan deal was extended until March with the last of his 16 appearances for the Bluebirds coming in a 1-1 home draw against Crewe.
He returned to the Hawthorns, but a lack of first team football and a lack of Bryan Robson's faith in him saw him make only 29 appearances over the next 2 seasons.
By this time he was falling out of favour with the national time also. Japan's disappointing exit in the group stages of the 2006 World Cup saw Inamoto make 1 start and 1 one sub. After Germany, it was time to move on again. He moved onto Turkey for one solid but unspectacular season playing for Galatasaray, and then to Eintracht Frankfurt in the German Bundesliga where's he been since 2007
It's fair to say that his time in England was checkered, but his brief spell at Cardiff served as a reminder of his quality and talent.
