Kaito Yamada

Kaito Yamada
山田 海斗
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-08-31) 31 August 2006
Place of birth Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan
Height 1.92 m (6 ft 4 in)
Position Defender
Team information
Current team
 Vissel Kobe
Number 43
Youth career
–2024 Vissel Kobe
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2023– Vissel Kobe 7 (0)
2025 → Tacoma Defiance (loan) 25 (3)
International career
Japan U20
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 10 August 2026

Kaito Yamada (山田 海斗, Yamada Kaito; born 31 August 2006) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defender for J1 League club Vissel Kobe.[1]

Early life

Yamada was born on 31 August 2006. Born in Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, he is a native of Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.[2]

Club career

As a youth player, Yamada joined the youth academy of Japanese side Vissel Kobe, where he captained the club's under-18 team.[3] Japanese news website Gekisaka wrote in 2024 that he "secured a regular position as a center back last season and played in 21 league games, the most on the team. He has grown into a key player in the group that is competing for the championship" while playing for the under-18 team.[4]

In 2025, he was sent on loan to American side Tacoma Defiance. On 8 March 2025, he debuted for the club during a 2–3 away loss to Ventura County FC in the league.[5]

International career

Yamada is a Japan youth international, having played for the Japan U-17s in 2023 and the U-18s in 2024. In March 2026, he was selected as part of the U-21 squad for their tour of South Korea.[6]

Honours

Vissel Kobe

Career statistics

As of 27 April 2026.[8]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National cup[a] Continental Total
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Vissel Kobe 2023 J1 League 00000000
2024 J1 League 00000000
2026 J1 (100) 60–2[b]080
Total 60002080
Tacoma Defiance (loan) 2025 MLS Next Pro 2533000283
Career total 3133020363

References

  1. ↑ "山田 海斗：ヴィッセル神戸：Ｊリーグ公式サイト（J.LEAGUE.jp）". Ｊリーグ.jp（日本プロサッカーリーグ） (in Japanese). Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  2. ↑ "神戸のU-18日本代表DF山田海斗がトップ昇格内定、192cｍの長身DF" [Kobe's U-18 Japan national team defender Kaito Yamada has been selected for promotion to the top team. The 192cm tall defender] (in Japanese). goo news. 17 October 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  3. ↑ "若きクリムゾンレッドを束ねるディフェンスリーダー。ヴィッセル神戸U-18・山田海斗は今度こそ「3度目の正直」を手繰り寄せる" [The defensive leader of the young Crimson Red. Vissel Kobe U-18's Kaito Yamada is hoping that this time "third time's the charm"] (in Japanese). J SPORTS. 30 August 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  4. ↑ "イングランドへの短期留学、トップチームのキャンプ帯同、国立での真剣勝負。貴重な経験を積み重ねる神戸U-18DF山田海斗が挑む勝負の2024年" [A short-term study abroad in England, accompanying the top team in their training camp, and competing at the National Stadium. Kobe U-18 defender Yamada Kaito will be accumulating valuable experience in the crucial year of 2024] (in Japanese). Gekisaka. 17 February 2024. Retrieved 29 April 2025.
  5. ↑ Kaito Yamada at Soccerway
  6. ↑ "⼭⽥海⽃選手「U-21日本代表 韓国遠征」メンバー選出のお知らせ". ヴィッセル神戸オフィシャルサイト (in Japanese). Retrieved 27 April 2026.
  7. ↑ "All Positions | Goals | All clubs | MEIJI YASUDA J1 100 YEAR VISION LEAGUE | 2026 Player Stats". JLeague.co. Japan Professional Football League. Retrieved 17 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Kaito Yamada Players All-Time Record". Soccer D.B. Japan. Retrieved 27 April 2026.
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