is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Eredivisie club PSV and the Japan national team.
Club career
Fagiano Okayama A graduate of the , Sano signed his first professional contract with J2 League side Fagiano Okayama in October 2021.
He made his professional debut for the club during the 2022 season, scoring three goals in 28 league matches.
NEC On 14 August 2023, Fagiano Okayama announced that they reached an agreement with Dutch side NEC for the transfer of Sano on a permanent deal; the deal was made official three days later, as the player signed a five-year contract with the Eredivisie club. In the process, Sano became NEC's second Japanese-born signing of the season, following Koki Ogawa.
He made his debut for the club on 16 September 2023, coming on as a substitute for Rober in the 59th minute of a 4–0 league loss to PSV.
On 17 Jan 2026, Sano would score a dramatic late winner in the third minute of stoppage time in a 4–3 win over NAC Breda in the Eredivisie. This extended NEC's unbeaten run in all competitions to nine matches; which started on 9 November 2025 with a 2–0 win over Groningen, where Sano also scored the opener.
PSV On 8 August 2026, Sano signed a five-year contract with PSV.
International career Sano has represented Japan at under-20 level, having taken part in both the 2023 AFC U-20 Asian Cup and the 2023 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
Personal life Sano is the younger brother of fellow professional footballer Kaishu Sano.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupLeague cupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsFagiano Okayama2022J2 League2830000—10293202320210———212Total4851000—10505NEC2023–24 Eredivisie25561——003162024–2525220——112832025–2634350———393Total8410131——119811PSV2026–27Eredivisie6100—10—71Career total1381614100102115518 Notes
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsJapan202510202620Total30
References
External links
Kodai Sano at jleague.co Kodai Sano at jleague.jp (in Japanese) Kodai Sano at gekisaka.jp (in Japanese)