7 Yasuhito Endō
Yasuhito Endo’s footballing career began at youth level with Kagoshima Jitsugyo High School in 1995, and he signed his first professional contract three years later, joining Yokohama Flugels.
After just 16 apperances though he joined Kyoto Purple Sanga before eventually settling at Gamba Osaka, where he has since played over 250 matches, winning the J-League title in 2005 as well as the league cup in 2007.
Endo first played international football with the Japan Under-20 and Under-23 team from 1998 to 1999, but he would have to wait three more years before making his international debut in 2002. In 2009 the midfielder was named Player of the Year by the Asian Football Confederation.
