Takayuki Morimoto

is a Japanese footballer who plays for Novara in the Serie A, in a co-ownership bid with Catania.

Morimoto holds the record for the youngest Japanese player to make his professional debut and the youngest scorer in J. League history. He has been compared to a young Ronaldo for the combination of his size, strength and speed.

Club career

Youth career

Morimoto began his youth career with Tsudayama FC in 1995, before transferring to Verdy Junior in 1998. After three year, Morimoto moved to Verdy Junior Youth in 2001, and remained until 2004, when he was sold to Tokyo Verdy 1969.

Tokyo Verdy 1969

On 13 March 2004, Morimoto made his J. League debut for Tokyo Verdy 1969 against Júbilo Iwata at the age of 15 years, 10 months and 6 days, a league record for youngest player to debut. He scored his first goal against JEF United Ichihara on May 5 of the same year, two days before his 16th birthday, another league record for youngest goal scorer. He captured the J. League Rookie of the Year Award for the 2004 season. On July 23, 2006, Tokyo Verdy 1969 announced a one-year loan deal sending Morimoto to Calcio Catania of the Serie A.

Calcio Catania

Morimoto made his Serie A debut on January 28, 2007 during an away game against Atalanta B.C.. He entered the game at the 83rd minute and scored the equalising goal, his first in a Serie A match, just five minutes...
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