Kennedy Mikuni in Japan

Discussion in 'Yanks Abroad - Asia' started by Dave Marino-Nachison, Jan 8, 2024.

  1. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    He was already mentioned in @naopon's roundups, but I figured he might as well have his own thread as I came across some stuff about him today. He last month joined J1 Nagoya Grampus:

    [​IMG]

    https://nagoya-grampus.jp/news/pressrelease/2023/1225post-2246.php

    That page says he was born in the U.S. in 2000 and has been in Japan for several years.

    His Wiki page says 1) he has some JYNT time and 2) he's Japan-born to Nigerian and Japanese parents. There's an article that backs up the parentage but not the birthplace, so I'm gonna go with the club.

    https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/-/839052

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/KennedyEgbus_Mikuni

    Wiki does say he's the younger brother of Stevia Mikuni who, however, has been called Japan-born by a club.

    https://www.albirex.com.sg/en/news/43622/
     
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  2. Dave Marino-Nachison

    Jun 9, 1999
    Also, just confirming that he appeared for Japan in the 2019 FIFA U20s, so he's provisionally cap-tied to them. Zion Suzuki was also on that team.
     
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  3. naopon

    naopon Member+

    Jan 2, 2007
    California
    Club:
    Kawasaki Frontale
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Yup, Kennedy is listed by the J.League as being US-born, but apparently he was raised in the rural outskirts of Tokyo along with his 5 siblings. His (Japanese) mother was a competitive speed skater in her youth, and he also has a younger sister who aspires to play pro basketball.
     
  4. naopon

    naopon Member+

    Jan 2, 2007
    California
    Club:
    Kawasaki Frontale
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    Forgot that Mikuni is a dual nat, but he's finally established himself as a nailed-on regular starter in J1 (30 starts this year for Nagoya). Seems like he's been around forever, but still just 24. Huge frame and good mobility, still cleaning up his game a bit - I think we might see him in Europe.
     
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  5. naopon

    naopon Member+

    Jan 2, 2007
    California
    Club:
    Kawasaki Frontale
    Nat'l Team:
    United States
    We should probably promote this thread to the main forum right? @dark knight
     
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  6. naopon

    naopon Member+

    Jan 2, 2007
    California
    Club:
    Kawasaki Frontale
    Nat'l Team:
    United States

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