Kazuki Nagasawa

Kazuki Nagasawa joined the Wellington Phoenix on a two-year deal in August 2024 after building an impressive professional football résumé over the previous decade.

The Japanese midfielder has played more than 300 professional matches, primarily in the J1 League, after launching his senior career in Germany, where he helped FC Köln secure promotion to the Bundesliga in 2014.

Nagasawa has won three major trophies over the past decade, winning the AFC Champions League in 2017 with Urawa Red Diamonds, with whom he also lifted the Emperor’s Cup in 2018, before winning the J League Cup with Nagoya Grampus in 2021.

He joined J2 League side Vegalta Sendai in August 2023 and helped them avoid relegation.

Nagasawa remained a key part of their midfield in 2024, making 27 league appearances and helping Vegalta Sendai push for the playoffs before signing with the Phoenix.

He also earned a senior cap for Japan in November 2017, starting in central midfield in a 1-0 defeat to Belgium.

> 2024-25 season

Kazuki Nagasawa made his club debut in the season opener against Western United and helped the Phoenix beat Perth Glory 2-0 the following weekend, providing the cross for Tim Payne’s goal.

Nagasawa scored his first goal for the Nix in January, equalising against Macarthur FC.

He also scored and assisted in the 2-1 win over Newcastle Jets in April.

Nagasawa made 24 appearances in total across the season, of which 18 of them were starts.