* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 5 January 2025, 11:00 (UTC)
Noriyoshi Sakai (酒井 宣福, Sakai Noriyoshi; born 9 November 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays for J2 League club Sagan Tosu.
A versatile midfielder, Sakai can play in many different positions, although left wing is his preferred position.
Club career
On 2 November 2010, Sakai signed for J. League club Albirex Niigata.[1] He made his J. League debut on 7 May 2011, coming on as a substitute for Yoshiyuki Kobayashi against Omiya Ardija.[2] After playing 450 minutes with Albirex Niigata, Sakai signed a Professional A contract with the club on 5 June 2013.[3]
On 7 January 2014, Sakai was announced at Avispa Fukuoka on a one year loan.[4]
On 19 July 2016, Sakai was announced at Fagiano Okayama on a six month loan.[5]
On 7 January 2018, Sakai was announced at Omiya Ardija on a permanent transfer.[6] On 8 December 2020, the club announced it would not be renewing his contract for the 2021 season.[7]
On 29 December 2020, Sakai was announced at Sagan Tosu on a permanent transfer.[8]
On 21 December 2021, Sakai was announced at Nagoya Grampus on a permanent transfer.[9]
On 4 July 2024, Sakai was announced at Renofa Yamaguchi FC on a six month loan.[10] On 9 December 2024, his loan with Renofa Yamaguchi expired, and his contract with Nagoya Grampus would expire at the end of the season.[11]
On 5 January 2025, Sakai announced that he would return to newly relegated J2 club Sagan Tosu.[12]
Personal life
Sakai is the younger brother of Gōtoku Sakai, who is currently playing for J1 League club Vissel Kobe, while his youngest brother Goson Sakai last played for German club FV Illertissen. During the 2011 season with Albirex Niigata, he shared a squad with Gōtoku Sakai.[8]
^"酒井 宣福選手 プロＡ契約締結のお知らせ" [Announcement of the signing of a Pro A contract with Nobuyuki Sakai]. www.albirex.co.jp (in Japanese).
^"酒井宣福選手 アビスパ福岡に期限付き移籍のお知らせ" [Nobuyuki Sakai transfers to Avispa Fukuoka on a temporary basis]. www.albirex.co.jp (in Japanese).
^"酒井 宣福選手 ファジアーノ岡山に期限付き移籍のお知らせ" [Nobuyuki Sakai transfers to Fagiano Okayama on a temporary basis]. www.albirex.co.jp (in Japanese).
^"酒井宣福 選手 アルビレックス新潟より完全移籍のお知らせ" [Announcement of permanent transfer of Nobuyuki Sakai from Albirex Niigata]. rbomiya-lb.sportsea.net (in Japanese).
^"大宮、3選手との契約満了を発表…畑尾大翔は今季J2で27試合出場" [Omiya announces contract expiration with three players...Hatao Taito played 27 games in J2 this season]. www.soccer-king.jp (in Japanese).
^ ab"元日本代表DF酒井高徳の実弟・MF宣福が鳥栖に完全移籍、来季兄弟対決も" [Former Japan national team defender Gotoku Sakai's younger brother, midfielder Nobuyuki Sakai, transfers to Tosu on a permanent basis, with a showdown between the brothers set to take place next season]. www.sponichi.co.jp (in Japanese).
