is a former Japanese football player who last played for Iwate Grulla Morioka in J3 League.
Mizuno began his professional career with JEF United Chiba, with whom he won the J.League Cup in 2005 and 2006; he was named most valuable player of the 2006 competition. His other former clubs include Ventforet Kofu, Kashiwa Reysol, and Scottish side Celtic.
Mizuno has 4 caps for the Japan national team, including two appearances as a substitute at the 2007 Asian Cup.Japan National Football Team Database As a youth, Mizuno also appeared in the 2005 World Youth Championship as a member of the Japanese Under-20 team, scoring one goal.
He is the cousin of Keita Suzuki, also a footballer.
Club career
JEF United Chiba After graduating from Shimizu Commercial High School, Mizuno joined JEF United Ichihara (later JEF United Chiba) in 2004. He was the MVP of the 2006 J.League Cup competition.
Celtic Celtic's interest was confirmed by chief executive Peter Lawwell in January 2008 who explained that the club planned on signing Mizuno, if he was granted a work permit.
After initially being denied a permit, Gordon Strachan took part in an appeal hearing in which he described his other Japanese import Shunsuke Nakamura as a "flawless performer" and "The best player I have ever worked with, and that includes [Kenny] Dalglish and [Gary] McAllister", and claimed that Mizuno was a young player of immense talent and potential. The appeal was successful and Celtic completed the signing of Koki Mizuno on 29 January 2008. On 18 July 2008, Mizuno made his debut in a 2–0 pre-season friendly win over Southampton. On 8 November, he made his league debut for Celtic in a 2–0 victory over Motherwell, replacing Scott McDonald in the 88th minute and, on 21 December 2008, he made his first start in a game against Falkirk. He scored his first goal for Celtic in the 90th minute of the match, assisted by a pass from Shunsuke Nakamura. The following season, 2009–10, Mizuno only made two appearances for Celtic in all competitions. On 1 July 2010, Mizuno was released by Celtic.
Kashiwa Reysol In the summer of 2010, Mizuno signed for J2 League side Kashiwa Reysol. In his first game for Kashiwa, he suffered a knee ligament injury which sidelined him for the rest of the 2010 season.
International career Mizuno was a member of the Japan team for 2005 World Youth Championship where he scored a goal against Benin. His first cap as a full international came when he substituted Naohiro Takahara on 24 March 2007 in a friendly against Peru. He was a member of the Japan team for 2007 Asian Cup and played two games as a substitute.
Club statistics Updated to 23 February 2017.Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2017 J1&J2&J3選手名鑑 (NSK MOOK)", 8 February 2017, Japan, (p. 93 out of 289) Club performance League Cup League Cup Total Season Club League Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsJapan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total2004JEF United ChibaJ1 League71100081200525321503242006250105231220072990050349Scotland League Scottish Cup League Cup Total2007–08CelticPremier League000000002008–0910100001012009–1010001020Japan League Emperor's Cup J.League Cup Total2010Kashiwa ReysolJ2 League1000-102011J1 League1003010140201214100001412013Ventforet Kofu1901030230201411111321542015JEF United ChibaJ2 League19120-2112016Vegalta SendaiJ1 League801040130 Country Japan1681612226420622Scotland1110010121Total1791712227421823
National team statistics
Japan national teamYearAppsGoals200740Total40
Honours JEF United Chiba J.League Cup Champions: 2005, 2006
Celtic Scottish Premier League Runner-up: 2008–09, 2009–10
Individual J.League Cup MVP: 2006
References
External links
Japan National Football Team Database