based on the 2025 season · updated 18 Aug 2026
Profile
Season stats
Full career & schedule →Domestic-league season · Sanfrecce Hiroshima.
Scout report
M. Kato is a 29-year-old central midfielder at Sanfrecce Hiroshima, rated 35.2 overall by Field Insider's model. An experienced operator, he has been a rotation option this season (59.3% of available minutes). His defensive output reads 1.64 tackles, blocks and interceptions per 90. Below: strengths, watch-points, market-value outlook and the latest transfer news on Kato.
On the season, Kato graded 26 for current form (age-blind), on 3 goals, 2 assists and 1.642 defensive actions per 90.
Year-on-year, that's broadly in line with last season (Season 18 → 18). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2024/25.
On long-term talent our Rating reads 35. At 29 Kato is in his prime years, and a market index of 6.5 reflects that trajectory.
Past his 2024/25 peak — the recent trend is downward, so buyers are paying for what's left, not what was.
Output in context · Sanfrecce Hiroshima finished 4th of 20 · an upper-table side
1.64 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90 — light defensive volume, with 9 clean sheets across 35 appearances. Behind an upper-table side (4th 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 3 goals and 2 assists — a useful bonus from the back.
Strengths
- Attacking threat. Chips in from deep: 0.22 goal involvements per 90, useful for a central midfielder.
Watch points
- Game time. Only 59.3% of available minutes — needs a settled run to prove the level.
- Defensive numbers. Modest 1.64 defensive actions per 90 for the position.
- Level. Rates below a nailed-on top-tier starter on our model.
Outlook
Rated 35.2 overall — developing / rotation level. Defensively he reads as light defensive volume (1.64 tackles, blocks & interceptions per 90). Experienced and reliable, but the value curve is easing (1.1× now → 0.8× 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
Passing
Defending
Yellow/red cards
Transfer news
No transfer news found for this player.
