is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a centre back for Gamba Osaka.
Club career
On 12 July 2023, Nakatani was registered as a type-2 player with the Kashiwa Reysol first team. On 8 December 2013, Nakatani was promoted to the first team from the 2014 season. He made his official debut for Kashiwa Reysol in the J. League Division 1, on 22 October 2014 against Gamba Osaka in Kashiwa Hitachi Stadium in Kashiwa, Japan. He started and played the full match. Nakatani and his club lost the match 1–0.
After five years as a pro in Kashiwa, Nakatani switched mid-season to Nagoya Grampus in June 2018. During the 2020 season, he formed a solid defensive partnership with Yuichi Maruyama and Mitchell Langerak. At the end of the 2020 season, Nagoya Grampus conceded the lowest goals in the league with 28, and qualified for the AFC Champions League Elite for the first time since 2011.
On 21 December 2023, Nakatani was announced at Gamba Osaka on a permanent transfer. During the 2024 season, Nakatani was the only outfield player to play 38 games and the full 3,420 minutes in league matches. Last season, Gamba Osaka had conceded 61 goals, during the 2024 season, they only conceded 35 goals, the second fewest in the league. At the end of the 2024 season, he was named in the 2024 J.League Best XI.
International career
Nakatani was not called up to the Japan U23 team for the 2016 Summer Olympics, but travelled as a backup player with the squad.
Nakatani made his debut for Japan national team on 30 March 2021 in a World Cup qualifier against Mongolia.
Club career statistics .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. 32 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. 64 out of 289) Club Season League League Cup League Cup Continental Total Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps GoalsKashiwa Reysol2014J1 League500000—502015J1 League302000501002016J1 League3123030—3722017J1 League3003020—3502018J1 League7000—70140Total76280501201012J. League U-22 (loan)2014J3 League60———602015J3 League70———70Total130———130Nagoya Grampus2018J1 League1701000—1802019J1 League3410050—3912020J1 League340—40—3802021J1 League3723150815342022J1 League3322080—4322023J1 League3313080—441Total188691300812358Career total277817135020134910
Honours Gamba Osaka AFC Champions League Two: 2025–26 Nagoya Grampus J.League Cup: 2021
Japan EAFF Championship: 2022
Individual J.League Best XI: 2024
References
External links Profile at Kashiwa Reysol