Atsuto Uchida

Atsuto Uchida (内田 篤人) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a right-back.

Uchida started his career with Kashima Antlers, making his debut in 2006 at the age of 17.

In 2006, Uchida moved to Kashima Antlers with a high school diploma.

On 5 March 2006, Uchida began his professional career when he debuted for Kashima at the age of 17 in the season-opener against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, since which he has remained a fixture in the starting eleven.

His first goal as a professional footballer came on 21 March 2006 when he scored against Ventforet Kofu.

Since making his debut, Uchida quickly became a first team regular for the side, playing in the right–back position.

At the end of the 2006 season, he went on to make forty–one appearances and scoring two times in all competitions.

For his performance, Uchida was selected by popular vote to play in the 2006 J. League All-Star Soccer game.

In the 2007 season, Uchida continued to regain his first team place for the side, playing in the right–back position.

He later helped the club win the league for the first time since after beating Shimizu S-Pulse 3–0 in the last game of the season to regain the club's nine consecutive wins.

In the final of the Emperor Cup, Uchida scored the opener in a 2–0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima to win the cup; resulting Kashima Antlers winning a double.

For his performance, Uchida was selected by popular vote to play in the 2007 J. League All-Star Soccer game.

At the end of the 2007 season, he went on to make forty–four appearances and scoring once in all competitions.

Uchida made his first appearance for the Japan national team in January 2008, and went on to make 74 appearances for his country, representing them in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as well as scoring two goals.

Born in Kannami, Shizuoka, Japan, Uchida was educated at and played for Shimizu Higashi High School.

During his time there, he played mainly in the wing position, partly because of his speed.

The school's director Kazuo Umeda switched Uchida's position to the right–back position, in which he plays today.

Uchida started the 2008 season when he started the whole game against Sanfrecce Hiroshima in the Japanese Super Cup, as Kashima Antlers lost 4–3 on penalties after the game finished 2–2 throughout extra time.

Uchida also made his AFC Champions League debut, starting a match and played 76 minutes, in a 9–1 win against Krung Thai Bank on 12 March 2008.

Seven days later on 19 March 2008, he set up two goals In his second AFC Champions League's appearance, in a 6–0 win against CLB Nam Định.

Uchida continued to remain in the first team, where he helped the side keep a clean in the first two league matches.

This lasted until he suffered a hip injury that kept him out for between two and three weeks.

On 11 May 2008, Uchida made his return to the starting line-up, playing 82 minutes, as Kashima Antlers lost 1–0 against Shimizu S-Pulse.

After returning, he quickly began playing in the receiver role later in the season.

After missing four matches, due to his international commitment for the Summer Olympics, Uchida made his return to the starting line–up against Vissel Kobe on 27 August 2008, and helped Kashima Antlers win 2–1.

He then helped the side keep three clean sheets in a row between 28 September 2008 and 4 October 2008.

Uchida helped the side keep four clean sheets in a row between 9 November 2008 and 6 December 2008.

During which, Uchida played a vital role when he scored the winning and only goal of the game against Oita Trinita on 23 November 2008, to help the side win the league for the second time.

At the end of the 2008 season, where he made 34 appearances and scoring once in all competitions, Uchida was named J. League Best Eleven for the first time.

Ahead of the 2009 season, Uchida was linked a move away from Kashima Antlers, as several clubs from Europe were interested in signing him.

Uchida started the season well when he helped the side beat Gamba Osaka 2–0 to win the Japanese Super Cup.

Uchida set up a goal for Marquinhos, in a 2–0 win over Urawa Red Diamonds in the opening game of the season.

Uchida continued to regain his first team place, where he played in the right–back position.

A month later on 8 April 2009, he scored his first goal of the season, in a 4–1 win over Warriors in the AFC Champions League campaign.

Since the start of the 2009 season, Uchida started every match until he was dropped from the squad against JEF United Chiba on 2 May 2009, due to suffering from chronic fatigue.

It came after when Uchida suffered fatigue and had to be substituted during a 5–0 win against Armed Forces on 22 April 2009.

After four years and three J1 League Titles, Uchida moved to Germany with Schalke 04 in 2010 for €1.3 million.

With Schalke, Uchida won the 2010–11 DFB-Pokal, and was named in the Bundesliga team of the season twice between 2012 and 2014.

In addition, Uchida signed a contract extension, keeping him until 2012.

He later played in the 2. Bundesliga with Union Berlin before returning to Japan with his first club Kashima Antlers, where he retired in 2020 at the age of 32.