Kento Nishiya

Following his move to Pohang Steelers, Nishiya's current-season form is up 180% on last season (Season 5→14), while his Rating climbed 33→39. That makes this his strongest season for form to date.

Domestic career

Season	Club	Apps	G	A	Match	RTG	Season
2026/27	Pohang Steelers · 7th	25	2	0	5.93	38	10
2025/26	Pohang SteelersLoan	1	0	0	6.7	—	—
2025/26	Sagan Tosu · 8th	13	1	0	—	33	5
2024/25	Sagan Tosu · 20th	11	0	2	6.97	43	11
2024/25	Fujieda MYFC	23	2	0	—	—	—
2023/24	Fujieda MYFCLoan	12	0	0	—	—	—
2023/24	Osaka	20	1	0	—	—	—

Domestic-league totals per season. RTG = Field Insider Rating (potential / ceiling); Season = age-blind form that year.

Scout report

Squad depthCentral midfielder

K. Nishiya is a 26-year-old central midfielder at Pohang Steelers, rated 39.1 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 31st of 123 on scout potential in the K League 1. In his prime years, he has been a fringe squad member this season (31.7% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 1.79 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Nishiya.

Judged on this season alone, Nishiya graded 14 — a workmanlike campaign that ranks 16th of 32 of the 32 central midfielders in the K League 1, on 2 goals, 0 assists and 1.789 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 5 → 14). Across the 3 seasons we hold, it's his best return yet.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 39, top 35% of the 32 central midfielders in the K League 1. At 26 Nishiya is in his prime years, and a market index of 9.6 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report

Read the full career report →

Below his 2024/25 peak but holding a solid level — the platform for a return is there.

Peak: 2024/25Holding levelRemarkably consistentStepped up 2026/27

Current potential11th of 32 central midfielders · K League 1 · 25 apps Current season16th of 32 central midfielders · K League 1 · 25 apps 16th-best central midfielder in the K League 1 31st in the K League 1 · potential 11th-highest potential central midfielder in the K League 1

39.1

Ratingi

11th of 32 central midfielders

14.3

Seasoni

below regular-starter level

31.7%

Minutes

limited game time

1.79

Def. actions / 90

light defensive volume

Output in context · Pohang Steelers finished 8th of 12 · a mid-table side

Apps

1.79

Def. / 90

Tackles

Interceptions

Clean sheets

1.79 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — light defensive volume, with 3 clean sheets across 25 appearances. Going forward he chipped in 2 goals and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Strengths

Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.21 goal involvements per 90, useful for a central midfielder.

Watch points

Game time. Only 31.7% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.

Outlook

With a Rating of 39.1, Nishiya carries the 11th-highest potential of the central midfielders in the K League 1 of 32 — though on just 25 appearances this season, so the standing rests on a small sample. Defensively he reads as light defensive volume (1.79 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). In the prime window — at or near peak market value, so the next two seasons are the ones to cash in or build around.

Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.

Per 90 & availability

Minutes played %31.7%

Available fixtures30 of 30

Goals / 900.211

Assists / 900

Goal contribution / 900.211

Defensive actions / 901.789

Player flow

Goal involvements2

Shot conversion %100

Shot accuracy %28.6

Pass accuracy %86

Cards / 900.211

Foul involvement / 901.368

Season-by-season progression

Rating (potential)Season (form)

Value & potential by age

Market valueRating

Solid = now · dashed = projected

The gold line is market value — an index (not €) blending rating, age and league. It climbs through the early 20s, peaks around ages 23–27 (~10), then tapers with age. At 26, Nishiya sits on 9.6, at or near its peak. The blue line is Nishiya's projected Rating — 39.1 today — recomputed at each age, so it follows the same rise-and-fall as a career matures and declines. Solid = up to today; dashed = projected.

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the K League 1 with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals2

Shots on target2

Shots7

Passing

Assists0

Chances created6

Passes216

Pass accuracy86%

Possession

Duels won14

Duels won %29.2%

Fouls won4

Defending

Tackles4

Interceptions10

Blocks3

Fouls committed9

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards1

Red cards1

Transfer history

Pohang Steelers(on loan)Jan 2026 – now

Sagan TosuJul 2024 – Jan 2026

Fujieda MYFC(on loan)Aug 2023 – Jul 2024

Osakauntil Aug 2023

About K. Nishiya

Kento Nishiya is a 26-year-old central midfielder who plays for Pohang Steelers, born on November 7, 1999 in Hyogo, standing 175 cm tall. He is from Japan. Pohang Steelers currently sit 7th of 12 in the K League 1.

This season

In the current season, K. Nishiya has made 25 appearances with 2 goals and 0 assists across 855 minutes, averaging a 5.8 match rating over his last 10 rated games, with 1 yellow card. Though primarily a central midfielder, he has also lined up in attack this season.

When K. Nishiya plays, Pohang Steelers's record this season is 4W-5D-6L — and his match ratings average 5.39 at home against 6.47 on the road.

Recent matches

September 20, 2026: 2-1 win at home vs FC Seoul (89 minutes, 1 goal, 7.45 rating)
September 15, 2026: 1-3 loss away at Beijing Guoan (90 minutes, 6.28 rating)
September 12, 2026: 2-2 draw away at Daejeon Citizen (12 minutes, 5.9 rating)
September 9, 2026: 0-0 draw at home vs Gimcheon Sangmu FC (56 minutes, 0 rating)
September 5, 2026: 0-2 loss away at Jeonbuk Motors (72 minutes, 6.1 rating)
August 1, 2026: 0-1 loss at home vs Gimcheon Sangmu FC (17 minutes, 5.55 rating)
July 25, 2026: 0-2 loss at home vs Jeonbuk Motors (44 minutes, 5.9 rating)
July 11, 2026: 3-0 win away at Gwangju FC (90 minutes, 1 goal, 8 rating)
May 17, 2026: 0-2 loss away at Bucheon FC 1995 (67 minutes, 6.2 rating)
May 9, 2026: 2-0 win away at Daejeon Citizen (35 minutes, 6.6 rating)

K. Nishiya's next match is on October 9, 2026, when Pohang Steelers face Incheon United away in the K League 1.

Field Insider's view

Field Insider currently rates K. Nishiya at 39.1 with a Season form score of 14.3, ranking 31st of 123 central midfielders in the K League 1. See the full scout report for strengths, watch-points and the market-value outlook.

Career

Across 4 recorded seasons, K. Nishiya has totalled 105 club appearances with 6 goals and 2 assists for 4 different clubs. His busiest campaign came in 2026/27, with 25 appearances for Pohang Steelers.

K. Nishiya's career has also included time at Sagan Tosu, Fujieda MYFC and Osaka.

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.

Profile

Season stats

Performance data · by competition

Career

Scout report

Output in context · Pohang Steelers finished 8th of 12 · a mid-table side

Strengths

Watch points