Ryo Miyaichi

Early life

Miyaichi was born into a sporting family, with father Tatsuya Nomoura being a former basketball player who played for and later managed the Toyota Motors basketball club, and brother Tsuyoshi also being a football player. Miyaichi started playing football in his elementary school years at Sylphid F.C. in Nagoya. He entered Chukyodai Chukyo High School and played for the school football club. In the 2010 season, the team advanced to the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament but were defeated in the first round; the match had also been televised across Japan.

Arsenal

Miyaichi first trialled for Arsenal in the summer of 2010, where he impressed the Arsenal manager. Arsène Wenger was convinced of Miyaichi's abilities and subsequently offered him a contract with Arsenal. On 31 January 2011, he joined the club and signed a professional contract. Wenger said: "We’re delighted that Ryo Miyaichi has joined us. He trialled with us in the summer and has raw ability which has attracted many clubs around the world".

Loan to Feyenoord

Just after he signed for Arsenal, it was announced that he was set to join Feyenoord on loan. On 5 February, he played his first game for Feyenoord against Vitesse Arnhem. He played the full 90 minutes and was named man of the match (the game ended 1–1). Miyaichi played against Heracles Almelo and scored the opening goal and created the second for Feyenoord. On 17 April 2011, Miyaichi scored two goals and contributed two assists in Feyenoord's 6–1 victory over Willem II, leading a revival after Feyenoord had conceded an early goal.

The Dutch media gave him the nickname "Ryodinho" after comparisons to Ronaldinho. He has also been branded the Japanese Messi.

2011–12 season

As he returned to Arsenal after his loan spell at Feyenoord, Miyaichi joined up with the first team for pre-season training. He was included in the 23-man squad to tour Asia in the pre-season after impressing in training. Miyaichi made his pre-season debut against Malaysia All-Stars XI, he started the match before being substituted for Robin van Persie in the 66th minute.

On 9 August 2011, Miyaichi was granted a work permit to play for Arsenal on the grounds of being an "exceptional talent" in view of evidence supplied by Wenger and the Japan Football Association, and was deemed free to represent Arsenal during the 2011–12 season. He was also included in Arsenal's 23-man Champions League squad for the fixture against Udinese. On 23 August 2011, Miyaichi featured in the Arsenal Reserves against Wigan Athletic Reserves and scored in the 83rd minute.

On 20 September 2011, Miyaichi made his first team debut against League Two side Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup third round as a 71st-minute substitute. He also came on again in the League Cup as a substitute as Arsenal went on to win the match 2–1 against Bolton Wanderers.

During the reserve match against Fulham, on 7 November 2011, Miyaichi lasted 34 minutes before being forced off with an ankle injury, which would cause him to be out for weeks. Despite being in the first team, Miyaichi admitted he still has a lot to learn.

Loan to Bolton Wanderers

On 31 January 2012, Miyaichi joined Bolton Wanderers on loan until the end of the season. Shortly after arriving at Bolton, manager Owen Coyle spoke of his admiration for the young player, even though Miyaichi had yet to play in a competitive match for the team. He played a behind-closed-doors game on 7 February against Preston North End where he scored the only goal in a 1–0 win and made his full debut when coming on as a half-time substitute for Martin Petrov in Bolton's 2–1 home defeat by Wigan Athletic on 11 February. He made his first start, and scored his first goal, the following weekend in Bolton's 2–0 FA Cup win at Millwall. He played 78 minutes of the game before being substituted. He made his first Premier League start the following weekend in Bolton's 3–0 loss at Chelsea. He was voted February Player of the Month by the Bolton fans after his debut.

Loan to Wigan Athletic

On 13 August 2012, Arsenal confirmed that Miyaichi had joined Wigan Athletic on a season-long loan. On 28 August 2012, he made his debut as a substitute in the League Cup, in a 4–1 victory over Nottingham Forest. On his debut, he was able to provide an assist for Callum McManaman. After that, however, he was limited to three appearances due to injury. On 9 March, he made his return as a substitute for Callum McManaman in an FA Cup match against Everton. Miyaichi was substituted after playing 45 minutes, after picking up an ankle injury in a challenge by Kevin Mirallas.

Loan to FC Twente

On 1 September 2014, the last day of the transfer window, Miyaichi was sent on loan to Dutch side FC Twente until the end of the season. After ending the season in the Jong Twente squad Miyaichi would return to Arsenal but would find his services no longer needed as his contact was terminated, in turn ending his five-year association with the North London club.

FC St. Pauli

On 18 June 2015, the Hamburger Morgenpost announced that Miyaichi had signed a three-year contract with FC St. Pauli in the 2. Bundesliga, describing the winger as a player with "huge potential". Miyaichi's transfer was confirmed on the club's website the next day, where it was revealed that he will wear the number 13 shirt for the upcoming season.

International career

Miyaichi has represented Japan from under-15 to under-19 level, taking part in the 2009 edition of the FIFA U-17 World Cup. He received his first call up to the senior team for the World Cup qualifier against Uzbekistan in February 2012, however he did not feature during the 90 minutes.

He did however make his debut on 23 May 2012 in a friendly match against Azerbaijan coming on as a 60th-minute substitute in a game that ended 2–0 to Japan. He made his second appearance against Brazil coming on as a substitute in loss time in which Japan had lost 4–0.

Club