# Takefusa Kubo (久保建英)
**Takefusa Kubo** (久保建英; born 2001) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a left-footed winger, mainly on the right flank, for [Real Sociedad](https://www.edgepedia.org/real-sociedad) in LaLiga and for the Japan national team. He came through [FC Barcelona](https://www.edgepedia.org/fc-barcelona)'s La Masia academy as a child, returned to Japan after a FIFA transfer-rule violation, and later joined Real Madrid before establishing himself in Spain with Real Sociedad.
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 2001, Kawasaki, Japan; 173 cm, 67 kg[1](https://www.laliga.com/en-US/player/take) |
| Youth career | Kawasaki Frontale U-12, FC Barcelona (La Masia) from age 10, then FC Tokyo U-15 and U-18[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html) • [3](https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-japan/) |
| Record | Youngest player to score in the J.League, at 15 years and 10 months, for FC Tokyo's Under-23 side in the third tier[3](https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-japan/) |
| LaLiga totals | 224 appearances, 29 goals, and 22 assists across Getafe, Villarreal, Mallorca, and Real Sociedad[4](https://as.com/futbol/primera/kubo-y-sato-los-samurais-de-la-liga-f202609-n/) |
| Honors | Kubo did not win Real Sociedad's 2019–20 Copa del Rey; he joined in July 2022, after that victory. Shinji Okazaki won Spain's Segunda División with SD Huesca in 2019–20.[4](https://as.com/futbol/primera/kubo-y-sato-los-samurais-de-la-liga-f202609-n/) • [24](https://www.realsociedad.eus/en/news/details/take-kubo-is-txuri-urdin) • [25](https://www.sdhuesca.es/vuelta-a-2da-y-nuevo-ascenso-como-campeon) |
| Japan national team | FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, Olympic Football Tournament 2020, FIFA U-20 World Cup 2017, FIFA U-17 World Cup 2017[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html) |
| Workload | 17,626 club and national team minutes before his 23rd birthday, more than other prominent Japanese forwards[5](https://media.fifpro.org/media/1oxkdnt2/en_pwm_men-s-annual-report-2024.pdf) |
## Early life and youth career
Kubo was born in [Kawasaki, Kanagawa](https://www.edgepedia.org/kawasaki-kanagawa), and began in [Kawasaki Frontale](https://www.edgepedia.org/kawasaki-frontale)'s junior ranks before moving to Spain. At the age of 10 he was invited to join Barcelona's youth academy, [La Masia](https://www.edgepedia.org/la-masia), after passing a trial[3](https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-japan/) • [6](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/best-right-wingers-in-the-world). Three years into his time there, Barcelona were found to have violated FIFA's international transfer policy for under-18 players, which made Kubo ineligible to play for the club and forced his return to Japan[3](https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-japan/).
Back in Japan he joined the [FC Tokyo](https://www.edgepedia.org/fc-tokyo) academy, progressing through the U-15 Musashi and U-18 sides[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html). On 1 November 2017 he signed a professional contract at 16 years and 150 days, alongside Rei Hirakawa; by that point he had already logged more than 1,400 minutes in J3 league play across two seasons[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html). Four days later he scored on his J3 debut for FC Tokyo's U-23 team against Gamba Osaka U-23, and at 15 years and 10 months he became the youngest player to score in the J.League[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html) • [3](https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-japan/).
## Club career
**Yokohama F. Marinos and FC Tokyo.** In August 2018, seeking playing time, Kubo moved on loan to [Yokohama F. Marinos](https://www.edgepedia.org/yokohama-f-marinos)[7](https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/players/takefusa-kubo/transfer-history). There he made his J1 debut and scored his first J1 goal, against [Vissel Kobe](https://www.edgepedia.org/vissel-kobe) in the 2018 season's 24th round, receiving a cross from Ken Matsuhara and finishing with his left foot[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html). He made 5 J1 appearances during the loan[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html). Back at FC Tokyo in 2019, he strengthened his defensive work, advice from captain Sei Muroya on positioning helping him win the trust of coach Kenta Hasegawa[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html).
**Real Madrid and the loan years.** Real Madrid signed Kubo in 2019. To secure regular minutes he was loaned to [RCD Mallorca](https://www.edgepedia.org/rcd-mallorca), a newly promoted LaLiga side, for the 2019-20 season[8](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/article/takefusa-kubo-tactical-analysis-tactics-scout-report). He scored 4 goals in 36 matches in that first Mallorca spell, reaching a market value of 10 million euros[9](https://as.com/futbol/primera/una-diferencia-elevada-al-kubo-n/). Further loans followed at [Villarreal](https://www.edgepedia.org/villarreal) and Getafe, and a second Mallorca loan from 11 August 2021 brought 2 goals in 31 matches[10](https://www.footballhdata.com/p410000020/) • [9](https://as.com/futbol/primera/una-diferencia-elevada-al-kubo-n/).
**Real Sociedad.** In the summer 2022 transfer market Kubo made a permanent move to Real Sociedad[11](https://as.com/futbol/primera/kubo-afronta-un-ano-clave-para-recuperar-su-mejor-version-f202607-n/). His first season there was his most productive: 9 goals in 44 matches[9](https://as.com/futbol/primera/una-diferencia-elevada-al-kubo-n/). In the 2022-23 league campaign he made 14 LaLiga appearances by the point of one mid-season analysis, starting 12 of them[12](https://laligaanalysis.com/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-la-liga-2022-23-data-stats-analysis), and the Japan squad media guide for the 2022 World Cup noted he had played 12 of 14 LaLiga matches that season, scoring twice[13](https://www.jfa.jp/common/pdf/mediaguide_JPN_FWC2022.pdf). With Real Sociedad he became the first Japanese player to sign for the club[23](https://www.transfermarkt.com/takefusa-kubo/profil/spieler/405398) • [4](https://as.com/futbol/primera/kubo-y-sato-los-samurais-de-la-liga-f202609-n/). Across his Spanish league career he has accumulated 224 LaLiga appearances, 29 goals, and 22 assists, the most by a Japanese player in the competition[4](https://as.com/futbol/primera/kubo-y-sato-los-samurais-de-la-liga-f202609-n/). His market value was listed at 20 million euros in June 2026[14](https://www.transfermarkt.jp/takefusa-kubo/verletzungen/spieler/405398).
## International career
Kubo represented Japan at four FIFA tournaments before his mid-twenties: the U-17 World Cup in India and the U-20 World Cup in Korea Republic, both in 2017, the Olympic Football Tournament in 2020, and the [FIFA World Cup](https://www.edgepedia.org/fifa-world-cup) in Qatar in 2022[2](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html). At the 2022 World Cup he was part of the squad that beat Germany and Spain[15](https://www.soccer-kickoff.com/en/news/player-story-takefusa-kubo). He was also named in Japan's squad for the 2026 World Cup[16](https://www.jornada.com.mx/ndjsimg/images/jornada/jornadadocs/fifa-publica-lista-definitiva-con-record-de-mil-248-jugadores-para-el-mundial-2026/fifa-publica-lista-definitiva-con-record-de-mil-248-jugadores-para-el-mundial-2026_4366eec7-59ea-4f8e-b98a-665cbaa18342_doc.pdf). At that tournament he started the opening match against the Netherlands, a 2-2 draw, but was forced off in the second half with a left-knee injury and missed the second group match against Tunisia in [Monterrey](https://www.edgepedia.org/monterrey) while undergoing rehabilitation[17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-cNGSK2t38).
## Style of play
Kubo is a diminutive, left-footed winger known for close control, quick feet, and cutting in from the right flank onto his stronger foot[18](https://scoutprofiles.org/p/takefusa_kubo). Tactical analyses of his Mallorca and Real Sociedad seasons describe a direct dribbler and creative attacking influence, with strong positional intelligence and the ability to run with the ball, though early in his career he was judged still raw as a goalscorer and assister[8](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/article/takefusa-kubo-tactical-analysis-tactics-scout-report) • [12](https://laligaanalysis.com/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-la-liga-2022-23-data-stats-analysis) • [6](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/best-right-wingers-in-the-world). He has been analyzed alongside [Kaoru Mitoma](https://www.edgepedia.org/kaoru-mitoma) as a specialist in 1v1 attacking situations, including Champions League performances in which he repeatedly attacked the Benfica backline[19](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/tactical-theory-mitoma-kubo-dribbling-1v1-attacking-tactical-analysis-tactics). LaLiga's own performance platform, Mediacoach, ranked him among the competition's best midfielders in one season, noting he was Real Sociedad's second-highest scorer with three goals and the player with the most passes in the final third under coach Imanol Alguacil[20](https://www.laliga.com/en-CA/news/takefusa-kubo-one-of-the-competitions-best-midfielders). FourFourTwo ranked him 13th in a list of the world's 20 best right-wingers, describing him as an in-demand transfer target and Japan's star player[6](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/best-right-wingers-in-the-world).
## Recent seasons
Injuries have shaped his recent years. Real Sociedad confirmed a hamstring muscle injury in his left leg on 19 January 2026[21](https://www.realsociedad.eus/es/noticias/detalle/parte-medico-245), and the knee problem at the 2026 World Cup followed[17](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-cNGSK2t38). The 2026-27 season is his fifth at Real Sociedad[11](https://as.com/futbol/primera/kubo-afronta-un-ano-clave-para-recuperar-su-mejor-version-f202607-n/); in the early league campaign he played 5 matches totaling 223 minutes without scoring[22](https://theanalyst.com/players/1655/takefusa-kubo).
## References
1. [Takefusa Kubo player page, LALIGA](https://www.laliga.com/en-US/player/take)
2. [久保 建英│街の誇りを世界へ│サッカー日本代表, Jリーグ.jp](https://www.jleague.jp/special/sb/pride_2026/kubo_takefusa.html)
3. [Takefusa Kubo: position and style of play, Coaches' Voice](https://learning.coachesvoice.com/cv/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-japan/)
4. [Kubo y Sato: los Samuráis de la Liga, AS](https://as.com/futbol/primera/kubo-y-sato-los-samurais-de-la-liga-f202609-n/)
5. [FIFPRO Men's Annual Report 2024: Players' View](https://media.fifpro.org/media/1oxkdnt2/en_pwm_men-s-annual-report-2024.pdf)
6. [Ranked! The 20 best right-wingers in the world, FourFourTwo](https://www.fourfourtwo.com/person/player/best-right-wingers-in-the-world)
7. [Takefusa Kubo Transfer History, FootballTransfers](https://www.footballtransfers.com/en/players/takefusa-kubo/transfer-history)
8. [Takefusa Kubo Scout Report At RCD Mallorca 2019/2020, Total Football Analysis](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/article/takefusa-kubo-tactical-analysis-tactics-scout-report)
9. [Una diferencia elevada al 'Kubo', AS](https://as.com/futbol/primera/una-diferencia-elevada-al-kubo-n/)
10. [takefusa kubo 久保 建英 – ⚽ football database](https://www.footballhdata.com/p410000020/)
11. [Kubo afronta un año clave para recuperar su mejor versión, AS](https://as.com/futbol/primera/kubo-afronta-un-ano-clave-para-recuperar-su-mejor-version-f202607-n/)
12. [Takefusa Kubo Real Sociedad La Liga 2022/23 Data Stats Analysis, LaLiga Analysis](https://laligaanalysis.com/takefusa-kubo-real-sociedad-la-liga-2022-23-data-stats-analysis)
13. [Japan National Team Media Guide, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, JFA](https://www.jfa.jp/common/pdf/mediaguide_JPN_FWC2022.pdf)
14. [Takefusa Kubo injury history, Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.jp/takefusa-kubo/verletzungen/spieler/405398)
15. [Takefusa Kubo: From Asao Ward, Kawasaki to La Masia to Real Sociedad Ace, Soccer Kickoff](https://www.soccer-kickoff.com/en/news/player-story-takefusa-kubo)
16. [FIFA definitive squad list, 2026 World Cup, La Jornada](https://www.jornada.com.mx/ndjsimg/images/jornada/jornadadocs/fifa-publica-lista-definitiva-con-record-de-mil-248-jugadores-para-el-mundial-2026/fifa-publica-lista-definitiva-con-record-de-mil-248-jugadores-para-el-mundial-2026_4366eec7-59ea-4f8e-b98a-665cbaa18342_doc.pdf)
17. [Takefusa Kubo out for Tunisia match, trains as he recovers, The Asahi Shimbun (YouTube)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-cNGSK2t38)
18. [Takefusa Kubo, RW / AM / LW, ScoutProfiles](https://scoutprofiles.org/p/takefusa_kubo)
19. [Kaoru Mitoma & Takefusa Kubo Scout Report: The Art Of 1v1 Attacking, Total Football Analysis](https://totalfootballanalysis.com/player-analysis/tactical-theory-mitoma-kubo-dribbling-1v1-attacking-tactical-analysis-tactics)
20. [Takefusa Kubo: one of the competition's best midfielders, LALIGA](https://www.laliga.com/en-CA/news/takefusa-kubo-one-of-the-competitions-best-midfielders)
21. [Parte médico, Real Sociedad](https://www.realsociedad.eus/es/noticias/detalle/parte-medico-245)
22. [Takefusa Kubo, Opta Analyst](https://theanalyst.com/players/1655/takefusa-kubo)
23. [Takefusa Kubo – Player profile 26/27, Transfermarkt](https://www.transfermarkt.com/takefusa-kubo/profil/spieler/405398)
24. [Take kubo is txuri urdin](https://www.realsociedad.eus/en/news/details/take-kubo-is-txuri-urdin)
25. [Vuelta a 2da y nuevo ascenso como campeón](https://www.sdhuesca.es/vuelta-a-2da-y-nuevo-ascenso-como-campeon)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Sports, games, and recreation › Association football › Football people and teams › People › Men's footballers of Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania › East Asian footballers*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 21, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 21, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 21, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license