Issey Nakajima Farran

Youth

Born to an English-Zimbabwean father and a Japanese mother, Nakajima-Farran moved with his family from Canada to Tokyo when he was three. 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 FC'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.

Singapore

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 Singaporean national football team.

Denmark

In the winter transfer window of 2006, Nakajima-Farran had trials with English sides Millwall FC and Portsmouth FC, however was signed by Danish First Division team Vejle Boldklub on a 2-year deal. 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. 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 UEFA Cup 2008-09. 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.

Australia

On 30 August 2011, it was announced he had signed a one-year contract with A-League club Brisbane Roar FC. 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, and helping the Roar set a new Australian sports team record of 36 unbeaten games.

Cyprus

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.

Canada

On 24 January 2014, Nakajima-Farran began a trial with Canadian club Toronto FC of Major League Soccer. On 28 March 2014, Farran signed a deal with Toronto after several weeks of speculation. 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. 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.

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.

Spain

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.

Malaysia

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

International career

He made his 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.

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. His brother Paris, was also a professional footballer 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.

Club

Albirex Niigata

Vejle Boldklub

AC Horsens

Brisbane Roar FC

Montreal Impact

Individual