Takayuki Morimoto

Takayuki Morimoto is a young Japanese football player who currently features for the Italian Serie A club Catania. He plays as a striker and is the youngest Japanese player to have made his debut as a professional.

Takayuki Morimoto made his J. League debut for Tokyo Verdy 1969 against Jubilo Iwata on March 13,2004 when he was only 15 years of age. He scored his first goal against JEF United Ichihara on May 5,2004, just two days before his 16th birthday, also a league record. He was honoured with the J. League Rookie of the Year Award that year.

Morimoto was signed by Catania in 2006 and on January 28,2007 made his Italian Serie A debut against Atalanta away from home. He came on as an 83rd minute substitute and scored the equalizer just five minutes later.

But on March 13,2007, it was confirmed by Catania that Morimoto had ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee and would be out for at least six months, ruling him out for the rest of the 2006-2007 season.

Takayuki Morimoto has since returned and now one of the upcoming players in the Italian Serie A.