Japanese · Hyogo, Japan · Born 16 April 1986Tireless and dependable Japanese striker who became a Premier League champion with Leicester City in one of football's greatest fairytale stories.
Shinji Okazaki graduated from Takigawa Daini High School in 2004 and signed his first professional contract with Shimizu S-Pulse the following year, making his J.League debut as a substitute against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in December 2005. His intelligent movement, tireless work rate, and reliable finishing established him as one of Japan's most consistently productive forwards. Okazaki moved to Europe in 2011, playing for VfB Stuttgart and Mainz 05 in the Bundesliga before Leicester City signed him in 2015, joining the club just as it embarked on one of the most remarkable title campaigns in football history. His willingness to press relentlessly and sacrifice himself for the team's shape made him an unheralded but vital component of Leicester's tactical setup. Okazaki's signature moment of that title-winning 2015-16 season came against Newcastle United in March 2016, when he scored a spectacular overhead kick to win the match 1-0 and send Leicester five points clear at the top of the table. Leicester went on to win the Premier League, one of the greatest upsets in the sport's history, making Okazaki the second Japanese player ever to win the English top flight, after Shinji Kagawa. Okazaki became Japan's third all-time leading goalscorer with 50 international goals, representing his country at three World Cups, before later playing for Málaga in Spain and Sint-Truiden in Belgium. After retiring, he moved into management, taking charge of Japanese amateur club FC Basara Mainz.
Being part of Leicester City's miraculous Premier League title win
He was part of Leicester City's miracle Premier League title win in 2016 — possibly the greatest upset in football history — and scored a stunning overhead kick goal against Watford that is remembered fondly.
Did You Know?How They Played
Hardworking striker known for intelligent movement, work rate, and ability to create space for teammates
Lasting Impact
First Japanese player to win the Premier League and a key figure in one of football's greatest underdog stories
Career Honours
- Premier League 2016 (Leicester City)
- Premier League 2016
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals | Shirt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shimizu S-Pulse | 2005–2010 | 121 | 42 | #9 |
| VfB Stuttgart | 2011–2013 | 63 | 10 | #9 |
| Mainz 05 | 2013–2015 | 65 | 27 | — |
| Leicester City | 2015–2019 | 114 | 14 | #9 |
| Málaga | 2019–2019 | 0 | 0 | — |
| Huesca | 2019–2021 | 62 | 13 | — |
| Cartagena | 2021–2022 | 32 | 2 | — |
| Sint-Truiden | 2022–2024 | 37 | 1 | — |
 Japan | — | 119 | 50 | — |
Japanese Athletes