is a Japanese footballer for FC Maruyasu Okazaki.
Club career
Gamba Osaka Hirai was born in Tokushima, Shikoku region, and began his career playing for his local club Kamihachiman SC before moving to a higher level joining Premiere SC in 2000.
At the age of 15, he was invited to attend Gamba Osaka youth academy. After spending three years there, Hirai signed his first professional contract with Gamba on 6 December 2005. He was, along with fellow player Michihiro Yasuda, promoted to the senior squad and assigned the number 34 shirt. He made his professional debut on 9 December 2006 in the Emperor's Cup 4th round match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The following season, Hirai took over the number 14 shirt, previously worn by Akihiro Ienaga.
In the 2008 season, Hirai playing time increased significantly as he appeared in 8 league matches. He made his J. League debut on 27 April 2008 against Vissel Kobe coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute. After making a few substitute appearances, he made his first league start on 26 July 2008 in a 1–0 defaut Oita Trinita playing 45 minutes. Hirai scored his first professional goal on 2 July 2008 in a J. League Cup match against Yokohama F. Marinos, which proved to be the winner as Gamba won the match 1–0. During the season, he signed new five-year contract.
Hirai had arguably one of the best seasons of his career in the 2010 season. He appeared in 31 total matches scoring a career-high 20 goals. On 23 March 2010, Hirai scored first career hat-trick against Singapore Armed Forces in the AFC Champions League. He was later named Man of the match for this performance, which led to a 4–2 victory.
Albirex Niigata On 12 January 2012 it was announced that Hirai would be joining Albirex Niigata on loan for the 2012 season.
International career On 16 March 2007, Hirai received his first call-up to the Japan U-20 squad, and won his first U20 cap as a substitute against Cape Verde on 25 March.
Team honors AFC Champions League – 2008 Emperor's Cup – 2008 Japanese Super Cup – 2007
Club career stats Updated to 23 February 2020.Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "J1&J2&J3選手名鑑ハンディ版 2018 (NSK MOOK)", 7 February 2018, Japan, (p. 263 out of 289)Nippon Sports Kikaku Publishing inc./日本スポーツ企画出版社, "2016J1&J2&J3選手名鑑", 10 February 2016, Japan, (p. 207 out of 289)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. 247 out of 289) Club performanceLeagueEmperor's CupJ. League CupAsiaTotalSeasonClubLeagueAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals2006Gamba OsakaJ1 League00100000102007000000–002008801011101112009100000102020102314222044312020112151020302752012Albirex Niigata2101062–2822013Gamba OsakaJ2 League17411----1852014Avispa Fukuoka42310--433201515210––1622016J1 League3120053–3652017Giravanz KitakyushuJ3 League18213––195201890–––90FC Maruyasu OkazakiJFL80–––802019277–––277Total241391061669427855
References
External links
Profile at Giravanz Kitakyushu Profile at Avispa Fukuoka