Field Insider
Central midfielderJapanJ1 League

Yuta Higuchi

Squad depthKashima · 30 yrsRotation
32.2
25.1%
Ratingi
21.2
1.9%
Seasoni
4.8
Valuei

based on the 2026 season · updated 19 Oct 2026

Profile

Full nameYuta Higuchi
PositionCentral midfielder
NationalityJapan
Age30
Date of birth30 Oct 1996
BirthplaceSaga
Height168 cm
Shirt number#14
ClubKashima
More about Y. Higuchi →
Central midfielder

Season stats

Full career & schedule →
25
Appearances
0
Goals
2
Assists
1269
Minutes

Domestic-league season · Kashima.

Scout report

Squad depthCentral midfielder

Y. Higuchi is a 30-year-old central midfielder at Kashima, rated 30.1 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 118th of 193 on scout potential in the J1 League. An experienced operator, he has been a rotation option this season (56.4% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.34 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Higuchi.

Judged on this season alone, Higuchi graded 21 — a solid campaign that ranks top 32% of the 41 central midfielders in the J1 League, on 0 goals, 2 assists and 2.34 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 21 → 21). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2021/22.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 30, 28th of 41 of the 41 central midfielders in the J1 League. At 30 Higuchi is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 4.8 reflects that trajectory.

From the career report
Read the full career report →

Past his 2021/22 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.

Peak: 2021/22Trending downBreakout: 2021/22
Current potential28th of 41 central midfielders · J1 LeagueCurrent seasonTop 32% central midfielders · J1 League13th-best central midfielder in the J1 League118th in the J1 League · potential28th-highest potential central midfielder in the J1 League
30.1
Ratingi
28th of 41 central midfielders
21.2
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
56.4%
Minutes
rotation minutes
2.34
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Kashima finished 6th of 20 · an upper-table side

25
Apps
2.34
Def. / 90
24
Tackles
8
Interceptions
6
Clean sheets

2.34 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 6 clean sheets across 25 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (6th of 20) the side controls more games, so the defensive load is lighter — the value sits as much in composure and ball progression as in raw volume. Going forward he chipped in 0 goals and 2 assists — a useful bonus from the back.

Watch points

  • Game time. Only 56.4% 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 30.1, Higuchi carries the 28th-highest potential of the central midfielders in the J1 League of 41. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.34 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1× now → 0.7× projected in three years).

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

Season statistics

Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the J1 League with 600+ minutes this season.

Shooting

Goals0
Shots7

Passing

Assists2
Chances created25
Passes719

Possession

Successful dribbles8
Dribble success40%
Duels won54
Duels won %42.9%
Fouls won16

Defending

Tackles24
Interceptions8
Blocks1
Fouls committed24
Penalties conceded1—

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards3
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.