Field Insider
Central midfielderJapanJ1 League

Yuta Higuchi

Squad depthKashima · 29 yrsRotation
32.2
25.1%
Ratingi
21.2
1.9%
Seasoni
5.3
Valuei

based on the 2026 season · updated 19 Oct 2026

Profile

Full nameYuta Higuchi
PositionCentral midfielder
NationalityJapan
Age29
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 29-year-old central midfielder at Kashima, rated 34.4 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 34, 28th of 41 of the 41 central midfielders in the J1 League. At 29 Higuchi is in his prime years, and a market index of 5.3 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
34.4
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 34.4, 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 (1.1× 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

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.