Field Insider
Central midfielderJapanJ1 League

Yuta Higuchi

Squad depthKashima · 29 yrsRotation
32.2
25.1%
Ratingi
14
32.7%
Seasoni
4.8
Valuei

based on the 2025 season · updated 18 Aug 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 32.2 overall by Field Insider's model, ranking 51st of 98 on scout potential in the J1 League. An experienced operator, he has been a rotation option this season (37.1% 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 14 — a solid campaign that ranks top 38% of the 24 central midfielders in the J1 League, on 0 goals, 2 assists and 2.34 defensive actions per 90.

Year-on-year, that's a drop on last season (Season 21 → 14). Over the 6 seasons on record his form has drifted down, peaking in 2021/22.

On long-term talent our Rating reads 32, 15th of 24 of the 24 central midfielders in the J1 League. At 29 Higuchi is in his prime years, 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 potential15th of 24 central midfielders · J1 LeagueCurrent seasonTop 38% central midfielders · J1 League9th-best central midfielder in the J1 League51st in the J1 League · potential15th-highest potential central midfielder in the J1 League
32.2
Ratingi
15th of 24 central midfielders
14
Seasoni
below regular-starter level
37.1%
Minutes
rotation minutes
2.34
Def. actions / 90
moderate defensive volume

Output in context · Kashima finished 1st of 20 · a title-challenging 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 a title-challenging side (1st 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 37.1% 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 32.2, Higuchi carries the 15th-highest potential of the central midfielders in the J1 League of 24. 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

Passing

Assists2

Defending

Tackles24
Interceptions8
Blocks1

Yellow/red cards

Yellow cards3
Red cards0

Transfer news

No transfer news found for this player.