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Issey Nakajima-Farran
Nakajima-Farran in 2019
Personal information
Full name Issey Morgan Nakajima-Farran
Date of birth (1984-05-16) 16 May 1984 (age 39)[1]
Place of birth Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)[2]
Position(s) Forward
Youth career
1993–1994 Verdy Kawasaki
1995–1997 Crystal Palace
2000–2002 Tokyo Verdy
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2003 Albirex Niigata 0 (0)
2004–2006 Albirex Niigata (S) 45 (26)
2006–2007 Vejle 44 (16)
2007–2009 Nordsjælland 46 (13)
2009–2011 Horsens 55 (11)
2011–2012 Brisbane Roar 23 (4)
2012–2013 AEK Larnaca 10 (1)
2013–2014 → Alki Larnaca (loan) 15 (3)
2014 Toronto FC 5 (2)
2014 Montreal Impact 13 (0)
2015 Suburense 2 (2)
2015–2017 Terengganu 61 (32)
2018 Pahang 10 (6)
2019 Pacific FC 17 (1)
2021 UE Tàrrega 12 (3)
2021–2023 CF Cubelles 39 (24)
Total 397 (144)
International career‡
2005 Singapore U21 1 (2)
2006–2016 Canada 38 (1)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 18 April 2023
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 5 March 2019

Issey Morgan Nakajima-Farran (born 16 May 1984) is a Canadian former professional soccer player.

Club career

Youth

Born to a Japanese mother and an English-Zimbabwean father, Nakajima-Farran moved with his family from Canada to Tokyo when he was three.[3] His football career began while playing for the junior youth team of Verdy Kawasaki. He later moved to England at the age of ten to play for Crystal Palace's youth team but returned to Japan when he was 16 to pursue a youth contract with Tokyo Verdy. In 2003, he began his professional football career after having signed with J2 League's Albirex Niigata.

Albirex Niigata (S)

In 2004, Nakajima-Farran was transferred to the Albirex Niigata's Singaporean satellite club in the S.League. Upon two successful seasons with Albirex Niigata Singapore FC, scoring 26 goals in 45 appearances, he was awarded the S.League Young Player of the Year in 2005, and also was invited to play a game for the U-21 side of Singapore national under-21 football team.

Vejle

In the winter transfer window of 2006, Nakajima-Farran had trials with English sides Millwall and Portsmouth, however was signed by Danish First Division team Vejle Boldklub on a 2-year deal.[4] He helped Vejle BK win the championship and gain promotion to the top league in the Danish football system, the Superliga, by netting 7 goals in 13 games.

Nordsjælland

Following a strong performance in his first season in the top flight, he was bought by Danish Superliga side, FC Nordsjælland on a 4-year contract in June 2007. Upon his debut for his new club, he guided FCN to their first victory over Denmark's most successful club, FC København by scoring the only goal of the game in injury time. He went on to score many important goals for FCN, as well as making appearances in the qualifying campaign and the first round of the 2008–09 UEFA Cup. During the summer transfer window of 2009, Nakajima-Frarran went on a trial with Eredivisie team De Graafschap, but joined Danish First Division side, AC Horsens on a 3-year deal. He helped Horsens win the championship and gain promotion to the Superliga for the 2010–11 season. In August 2011, Nakajima-Farran was released from AC Horsens after having mutually agreed with the team to terminate the remainder of the contract.

Brisbane Roar

On 30 August 2011, it was announced he had signed a one-year contract with A-League club Brisbane Roar FC.[4] Nakajima-Farran made his debut for the Roar on 11 September 2011 in a pre-season friendly at Launceston. He scored his first goal and set up another for Brisbane in a 7–1 thrashing of Adelaide United FC in round 4. In round 8, Issey was awarded "Man of the Match" after netting two goals in a 4–0 victory over Perth Glory FC,[4] and helping the Roar set a new Australian sports team record of 36 unbeaten games.[4]

AEK Larnaca

During the summer transfer window of 2012, Nakajima-Farran signed a two-year deal with Cypriot First Division side, AEK Larnaca FC. Issey netted his first goal in the Cypriot league on 22 October in a 3–0 routing of Ayia Napa FC. In January 2013, Issey was loaned out to Alki Larnaca FC until the end of the 2012–13 season. During Round 26, Nakajima-Farran helped Alki Larnaca squeeze past Ethnikos Achna FC 6–5, by scoring a goal in the 54th minute, and setting up another two minutes later.

Toronto FC

On 24 January 2014, Nakajima-Farran began a trial with Canadian club Toronto FC of Major League Soccer.[5] On 28 March 2014, Farran signed a deal with Toronto after several weeks of speculation.[6] The following day he made his debut as a second half sub for Bradley Orr in a 3–0 away defeat to Real Salt Lake.[7] He scored his first goal for Toronto the following week on 5 April against the Columbus Crew, the game ended in a 2–0 away victory.[8]

Montreal Impact

On 16 May 2014, Nakajima-Farran was traded to the Montreal Impact for Collen Warner, the trade also included some allocation money. At the end of the season, he was waived by Montreal.[9]

Suburense

Following his release from MLS, Nakajima-Farran trained and played with amateur CF Suburense in the Segona Catalana, the sixth tier of the Spanish football league system to stay fit and be close to his family.[10]

Terengganu

Nakajima-Farran signed with Malaysia Super League club Terengganu on 1 April 2015.[11]

After a disastrous 2016 campaign which saw Terengganu relegated to the second tier, Issey chose to stay and help the team gain promotion. He proved his words by helping them to finish 2nd in the Malaysia Premier League, ensuring their return to the Super League.[12] On 1 November 2017, Nakajima-Farran announced that he had departed the club by mutual consent.[13]

Pahang

Nakajima-Farran joined Pahang in April 2018.

Pacific FC

Nakajima-Farran signed with Canadian Premier League club Pacific FC ahead of their inaugural season on 5 March 2019.[14] He scored his first goal for Pacific on 1 July, off a free-kick against Cavalry FC.[15]

CCB LFC United

Vancouver Metro Soccer League club CCB LFC United announced they had signed Nakajima-Farran on 18 January 2020.[16]

UE Tàrrega

In March 2021, he signed in the Spanish fifth tier with UE Tàrrega.[17]

International career

He made his senior international debut for Canada in November 2006 for friendly match against Hungary. As of November 2013, he has earned a total of 30 caps, scoring 1 goal, represented Canada during the 2007, 2009, 2011 and 2013 editions of the CONCACAF Gold Cup and also in four 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification matches.[4][18]

Career statistics

Club

As of 19 October 2019[19]
Club Season League National Cup League Cup Continental[A] Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Nordsjælland 2008–09 Danish Superliga 16 1 0 0 0 0 3 0 19 1
Horsens 2010–11 Danish Superliga 28 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 28 4
2011–12 Danish Superliga 3 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1
Total 31 5 0 0 0 0 0 0 31 5
Brisbane Roar 2011–12 A-League 23 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 23 4
AEK 2012–13 Cypriot First Division 10 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 10 1
Alki (loan) 2012–13 Cypriot First Division 15 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 17 3
Toronto FC 2014 Major League Soccer 5 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 7 2
Montreal Impact 2014 Major League Soccer 13 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 15 0
Terengganu 2015 Malaysia Super League 12 9 2 1 5 3 — 19 13
2016 Malaysia Super League 18 7 0 0 0 0 — 18 7
2017 Malaysia Super League 18 8 5 1 3 2 — 26 11
Total 48 24 7 2 8 5 0 0 63 31
Pahang 2018 Malaysia Super League 10 6 2 0 0 0 — 12 6
Pacific FC 2019 Canadian Premier League 17 1 2 0 0 0 — 19 1
Career total 188 47 14 2 8 5 5 0 216 54
A. ^ Includes appearances in the UEFA Cup and CONCACAF Champions League.

International

As of 6 July 2018[20]
Canada
Year Apps Goals
2006 1 0
2007 7 0
2008 7 1
2009 3 0
2010 4 0
2011 1 0
2013 7 0
2014 3 0
2015 4 0
2016 1 0
Total 38 1

International goals

No. Date Venue Opponent Score Result Competition Ref.
1. 20 June 2008 Arnos Vale Stadium, Kingstown, St. Vincent & the Grenadines  Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 0–1 0–3 2010 FIFA World Cup qualification

Personal life

Nakajima-Farran is Japan passport holder. His parents were born in two other countries, as his father is from Zimbabwe (of English descent) and his mother is from Japan.[21] His brother Paris, was also a professional footballer[22] who represented Canada at U-20 level and played as a defender for clubs in Japan, Denmark, Hong Kong and Spain. Other than playing football, Nakajima-Farran is an artist.[23]

Honours

Albirex Niigata

Vejle Boldklub

AC Horsens

Brisbane Roar

Montreal Impact

Individual

References

  1. ^ "Issey Nakajima-Farran". canadasoccer.com. Canadian Soccer Association. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  2. ^ "Issey Nakajima-Farran". worldfootball.net. Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  3. ^ "There and back again: Issey Nakajima-Farran's football journey | FourFourTwo". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 8 August 2015.
  4. ^ a b c d e Dasey, Jason (19 August 2015). "Former Brisbane Roar winger Issey Nakajima-Farran makes big impact in Malaysia". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 22 November 2022.
  5. ^ "Issey Nakajima-Farran to join Toronto FC on trial". SB Nation. 23 January 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  6. ^ Kristin Knowles (28 March 2013). "Toronto FC (Finally) Sign Issey Nakajima-Farran". SB Nation. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  7. ^ "Recap: RSL 3-0 Toronto FC". Real Salt Lake. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  8. ^ Andrew King (5 April 2014). "Match Recap: Crew 0, TFC 2". torontofc.ca. Toronto FC. Archived from the original on 12 October 2014. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  9. ^ "L'Impact libère le milieu de terrain Issey Nakajima-Farran" [Impact waives midfielder Issey Nakajima-Farran] (in French). 16 January 2015. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  10. ^ "MOJA, A.E. "A" 2 SUBURENSE, C.F. "A"". fcf.cat. 21 February 2015. Archived from the original on 2 March 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2015.
  11. ^ Marco D'Onofrio (1 April 2015). "Canadian International Issey Nakajima-Farran Signs With Terengganu FC". Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  12. ^ "Kuala Lumpur julang Liga Perdana, Terengganu naib juara". 27 October 2017.[permanent dead link]
  13. ^ @11issey (2 November 2017). "Thank You". Archived from the original on 23 December 2021 – via Instagram.
  14. ^ "Pacific FC adds to attack with signing of Canadian international Issey Nakajima-Farran". 5 March 2019. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  15. ^ Bauman, Martin (1 July 2019). "'This is the start': Pacific targets Fall turnaround after win vs. Cavalry".
  16. ^ "Welcome to the darkside @11issey, looking forward to having you join up with the squad this week. Best of luck taking the ferry across with Bevis and Butt-Head @ryanmccurdy8 & @kirkler 😈". 18 January 2020. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021.
  17. ^ Gasull Cairó, Francesc (17 March 2021). "Un internacional canadenc, a la UE Tàrrega" [A Canadian international, in the EU Tàrrega]. Nova Tàrrega (in Catalan).
  18. ^ "Record at FIFA Tournaments". FIFA. Archived from the original on 18 June 2008. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  19. ^ "Issey Nakajima-Farran". Soccerway. Retrieved 19 May 2019.
  20. ^ "Nakajima-Farran, Issey". National Football Teams. Benjamin Strack-Zimmermann. Retrieved 17 June 2015.
  21. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 27 June 2012.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. ^ Neil Davidson (3 April 2014). "Issey Nakajima-Farran and the art of soccer". Metro. Archived from the original on 3 March 2017. Retrieved 11 September 2017.
  23. ^ Marco Monteverde (6 October 2011). "Brisbane Roar recruit Issey Nakajima-Farran ready for brush with destiny". The Courier-Mail. Retrieved 11 September 2017.

External links

Canada squads
Categories