ratings updated 13 Oct 2026
Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Albirex Niigata.
Also this season
Earlier this season at Kashiwa Reysol — J-League Cup: 3 apps, 0g 0a, 270 min
The headline Season rating covers his time at Albirex Niigata; availability counts only fixtures while in this squad.
Scout report
E. Shirai is a 31-year-old central midfielder at Albirex Niigata, enjoying a standout season — 2 goals and 0 assists in 21 appearances, a Season grade of 30, top 18% of J2 League central midfielders. On long-term scout potential he's rated 23.9, ranking 109th of 215 in the J2 League. A seasoned veteran, he has been a regular starter (77.8% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 2.39 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Shirai.
Judged on this season alone, Shirai graded 30 — a strong campaign that ranks top 18% of the 62 central midfielders in the J2 League, on 2 goals, 0 assists and 2.386 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's a clear step up on last season (Season 24 → 30).
On long-term talent our Rating reads 24, 32nd of 62 of the 62 central midfielders in the J2 League. At 31 Shirai is into the veteran stage, where the age curve weighs on the projection, and a market index of 3.2 reflects that trajectory.
Shirai is operating at his career peak — the 2025/26 level is the level.
Output in context · Albirex Niigata finished 3rd of 20 · an upper-table side
2.39 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — moderate defensive volume, with 3 clean sheets across 21 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (3rd 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 2 goals and 0 assists — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Availability. On the pitch for 77.8% of available minutes — a dependable presence in the XI.
Watch points
- Age curve. At 31, both level and resale value are on the downslope.
- Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.
Outlook
With a Rating of 23.9, Shirai carries the 32nd-highest potential of the central midfielders in the J2 League of 62. Defensively he reads as moderate defensive volume (2.39 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Veteran phase — a short-term, lower-fee proposition as both level and value decline (0.9× and falling).
Generated from Field Insider's rating model · AI-written analysis to follow.
Season statistics
Bars = where he ranks among central midfielders in the J2 League with 600+ minutes this season.
Shooting
Passing
Possession
Defending
Yellow/red cards
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
