Kaoru Mitoma

Lore & Background

Born on 20 May 1997, in Hita, Ōita, Mitoma moved to Kawasaki, Kanagawa in his earlier days, where he grew up in Miyamae-ku. He joined the Kawasaki Frontale academy at the U10 level. He was offered a promotion from the U-18s to the senior team but chose to enroll at the University of Tsukuba. He wrote his university thesis on dribbling. During his time at Tsukuba, he was selected for Japan at the 2017 and 2019 Universiade, the 2018 Asian Games, and the 2019 Toulon Tournament with the under-23 national team. He agreed on a professional contract with Kawasaki Frontale in July 2018 and became a member of the team in 2020. He made his debut on the opening matchday of the 2020 J1 League and became the first rookie to reach double digits in goals in the first division since Yoshinori Muto. On 1 January 2021, he scored the match-winning goal in a 1–0 victory against Gamba Osaka in the final of the 2020 Emperor's Cup. On 10 August 2021, he joined Brighton & Hove Albion on a four-year deal and was loaned to Union SG for the first year. He scored a hat-trick for Union SG on 16 October against Seraing. He made his Premier League debut for Brighton on 13 August 2022. He scored his first Premier League goal on 5 November 2022 against Wolverhampton Wanderers. On 29 January 2023, his 91st-minute winner in the FA Cup saw Brighton defeat Liverpool 2–1. On 1 April 2023, he scored his seventh league goal of the season to surpass Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki for the most goals scored in a single English top-flight season by a Japanese player. On 20 October 2023, he signed a new four-year deal with Brighton up to 2027. On 27 February 2024, it was announced he would miss the rest of the 2023–24 season due to a back injury. On 17 August 2024, he marked his return from injury by opening the scoring in a 3–0 away win against Everton. He concluded the 2024–25 season with ten league goals, his personal best, and finished as the club's joint top scorer. He sustained a hamstring injury on 9 May 2026, ruling him out for the remainder of the season and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He was part of Japan's squad for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, scoring in the bronze medal match. He made his senior debut on 16 November 2021 against Oman. On 24 March 2022, he scored his first two international goals in a 2–0 win over Australia, confirming Japan's qualification for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He was na

In Their Own Story

The floodlights at the Amex Stadium hummed with a low electrical buzz. Ninety-third minute. The ball found Mitoma on the left channel, the full-back already committed to the overlap. He didn't take it at speed. He slowed it, one touch, two touches, a feint that made the defender's weight shift a half-inch. Then the turn—tight, almost lazy—and the cross came in low, curling just enough to bend around the centre-back's outstretched hand. The striker didn't even need to run. He just needed to be there. The net rippled. Mitoma didn't sprint to the corner flag. He walked, hands on his hips, watching the scoreboard change, and for a moment the whole stadium felt like it was holding its breath in slow motion.

Reader's Guide

Mitoma is a left winger known for his dribbling ability and pace. He has played for Kawasaki Frontale, Union SG (on loan), and Brighton & Hove Albion. He has represented Japan at senior level and in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Did You Know?

• Mitoma wrote his university thesis on dribbling.
• He scored a hat-trick for Union SG after being down 0–2 and down to 10 men.
• He became the first Japanese player to win a Premier League Goal of the Month award in August 2023.
• He surpassed Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki for the most goals in a single English top-flight season by a Japanese player.