is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a centre-back and currently play for club Albirex Niigata.Fitzgerald Michael James at Football-Line-ups.comマイケル ジェームズ選手 V・ファーレン長崎に期限付き移籍のお知らせ
Early life Fitzgerald received his secondary education at St Peter's College, Auckland (1999–2005). He is the brother of Isaac Fitzgerald.St Peter's College Old Boys Newsletter, Issue No. 1 2011, p. 3. (Retrieved 22 May 2013)
Fitzgerald's application for Japanese citizenship was approved in May 2013. This means he can no longer play for the All Whites. His former name is Fitzgerald Michael James (フィッツジェラルド・マイケル・ジェームズ).
Club career Youth career Fitzgerald went through the football academy at St Peter's College, in Auckland, New Zealand before moving to Japan.Manager In 2005, Fitzgerald began his career at Seiritsu Gakuen High School with the youth team until he graduated in 2007.
Senior career In 2008, after he had graduated from high school, Fitzgerald began his career in the J1 League, with J1 club, Albirex Niigata as part of the first team. After 2009, he transferred to JSC Niigata, Zweigen Kanazawa and V-Varen Nagasaki on loan until 2013. He made his debut for Nagasaki on 31 March 2013, coming on in the 88th minute for Shoma Mizunaga as they won 3-1.
He returned to Albirex Niigata in 2016.
In 2017, Fitzgerald transferred to Kawasaki Frontale until 2019. However, he was only able to play 3 matches in the J1 league.
In 2019, he returned to his former club, Albirex Niigata. On 23 October 2022, he helped bring his club promotion to the J1 League during the 2023 season. Albirex were crowned champions of the J2 League in 2022. On 27 December 2023, Fitzgerald's contract was extended for the 2024 season.
International career Fitzgerald made his international New Zealand debut in a 1–1 draw with China on 25 March 2011. He later made two more appearances for New Zealand in friendly matches including a 3–0 loss to Mexico and another 3–0 loss to Australia.
Personal life Fitzgerald became a naturalized Japanese citizen in 2013.
Career statistics
Club .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. 12 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. 29 out of 289) + Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionSeasonClubDivisionLeagueEmperor's CupJ.League CupAsiaTotalAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals2008Albirex NiigataJ.League Div 1000000—002009Japan Soccer CollegeHokushinetsu11000——1102010Zweigen KanazawaJFL 20100——2012011 25110——2612012V-Varen Nagasaki 31410——3242013 J.League Div 2 10———102013Albirex NiigataJ.League Div 114010——15020142902060—3702015J1 League2900081—37120162212010—2512017Kawasaki Frontale 00000020202018 00202010502019 30100000402019Albirex NiigataJ2 League 150000020202020 3810000003812021 3601000003702022 2710000002712023J1 League 1912030002412024 3212050003912025 0000000000Career total341111602415038612
International National teamYearAppsGoalsNew Zealand201130Total30
Honours Club Kawasaki Frontale J1 League: 2017, 2018 J.League Cup Runner-up: 2017 Japanese Super Cup Runner-up: 2018
V-Varen Nagasaki Japan Football League: 2012
Albirex Niigata J2 League: 2022
Individual Japan Football League Team of the Year : 2012 J2 League Team of the Year : 2022
References
External links
Profile at Kawasaki Frontale Profile at Zweigen Kanazawa Profile at Albirex Niigata