Kei Sano Explained

Kei Sano
Fullname:Kei Sano
Birth Date:3 April 1992
Birth Place:Ichinomiya, Japan
Height:1.72 m[1]
Position:Winger
Currentclub:Kanchanaburi Power
Clubnumber:7
Youthclubs1:Aichi Kogyo University Meiden HS
Youthyears2:2014–2015
Youthclubs2:Aichi Gakuin University
Years1:2020–2022
Clubs1:St. Andrews
Caps1:24
Goals1:8
Years2:2022–2023
Clubs2:Sirens
Caps2:23
Goals2:6
Years3:2023–2024
Clubs3:PSS Sleman
Caps3:15
Goals3:2
Years4:2023–2024
Clubs4:Sada Sumut (loan)
Caps4:8
Goals4:2
Years5:2024–
Clubs5:Kanchanaburi Power
Caps5:0
Goals5:0
Club-Update:16 January 2024

Kei Sano (Japanese: 佐野 渓; born 3 April 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a winger for Thai League 2 club Kanchanaburi Power.[2]

Career

Early career

Sano started his career when he entered college by joining Aichi Kogyo University Meiden HS. Then he joined Aichi Gakuin University from 2014 to 2015.[3]

After that, he had a vacuum from the world of football because he had to take up work outside of football's activities. Because of his love for the world of football, Sano decided to return in 2020. After a year of training, he tried his luck by migrating to Malta.[4]

St. Andrews

Ahead of 2021–21 season, Sano signed a contract with Maltese Challenge League club St. Andrews.[5] He made his league debut on 7 February 2021, coming on as a substituted in a 2–1 lose against St. George's.[6] On 21 February 2021, He scored his first league goal for the team in a 2–3 away win against Pietà Hotspurs.[7] He contributed with 24 appearances and scored 8 goals in all competitions.[8]

Sirens

Ahead of 2022–23 season, he was signed by Sirens alongside Gabriel Ventura, and Paulo Vyctor.[9] He made his league debut on 19 August 2022, coming on as a starter in a 2–0 away lose over Birkirkara.[10] On 5 November 2022, Sano scored his first league goal for the club with scored a brace in Maltese Premier League, earning them a 2–0 home win over Gudja United.[11]

On 1 February 2023, Sano scored in a 3–3 draw over Valletta.[12] He then scored his fourth league goal for the club three days later, opening the scoring in a 1–2 home lose against Mosta.[13] On 12 March 2023, Sano scored another brace for Sirens in a 2–1 home win against St. Lucia, In fact, with four matches to go, Sirens are fifth from bottom on 25 points, eleven ahead of Żebbuġ and fourteen ahead of St. Lucia.[14] He contributed with 23 league appearances, scored 6 goals during his 2022–23 season.

PSS Sleman

On 28 April 2023, Sano signed a contract with Liga 1 club PSS Sleman, he will join fellow new signings Jonathan Bustos and Esteban Vizcarra as well as new head coach Marian Mihail at the Maguwoharjo Stadium for the upcoming season.[15] Sano made his Liga 1 debut on 1 July 2023 as a starter in a 0–1 away win over Bali United.[16]

Personal life

Kei Sano has a twin brother, Gaku Sano who is a Japanese actor, best known for his role as Kouta Kazuraba, the main character of the Kamen Rider series Kamen Rider Gaim.[17]

Career statistics

Club

[18]

ClubSeasonLeagueCupContinentalOtherTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
St. Andrews2020–21Maltese Challenge League51200071
2021–22Maltese Challenge League 1972000217
Sirens2022–23Maltese Premier League2362100257
PSS Sleman2023–24Liga 11520000152
Sada Sumut (loan)2023–24Liga 262000062
Career total68186100007419

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Profil Kei Sano Kandidat Kuat Gelandang Asing PSS Sleman: Kualitas Bintang Lima, Harga Kaki Lima? . caping.co.id . 6 May 2023.
  2. Web site: PERTAMA KALI BERMAIN DI INDONESIA, KEI SANO TERMOTIVASI BEKERJA LEBIH KERAS. pssleman.id (web Resmi Club PSS Sleman). 1 July 2023. 1 June 2023. id.
  3. Web site: PSS Sleman Datangkan Pemain Baru Lagi, Ini Profil Gelandang Jepang Kei Sano. 28 April 2023 . id . 28 April 2023.
  4. Web site: 3 Fakta Menarik Kei Sano, Gelandang Anyar PSS yang Ternyata Kembaran Pemeran Kamen Rider. May 2023 . id . 2 May 2023.
  5. Web site: 3 Fakta Unik Gelandang Baru PSS Sleman Kei Sano: Kembaran Kamen Rider!. 2 May 2023 . id . 2 May 2023.
  6. Web site: St. George's 2–1 St. Andrews. aiscore.com. 7 February 2021.
  7. Web site: Pietà Hotspurs 2–3 St. Andrews. Soccerway. 21 February 2021.
  8. Web site: Profil Kei Sano Kandidat Kuat Gelandang Asing PSS Sleman: Kualitas Bintang Lima, Harga Kaki Lima? . caping.co.id . 6 May 2023.
  9. Web site: Three new foreigners for Sirens. www.maltafootball.com. 31 July 2022.
  10. Web site: Second-half goals hand Birkirkara first three points. www.maltafootball.com. 19 August 2022.
  11. Web site: Kei Sano hands Sirens first win. www.maltafootball.com. 5 November 2022.
  12. News: SIRENS VS. VALLETTA 3 - 3. 1 February 2023 . 1 February 2023 . Soccerway.
  13. News: Mosta jdawru telfa f'rebħa kontra Sirens biex jitilgħu momentarjament fir-raba' post. 4 February 2023 . 4 February 2023 . tvmnews.mt. Maltese.
  14. News: Kei Sano puts Sirens closer to safety. 12 March 2023 . 12 March 2023 . www.maltafootball.com.
  15. Web site: PSS Announce Signing of Kamen Rider Gaim's Twin Brother. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. football-tribe.com.
  16. Web site: 5 Fakta Kekalahan Bali United dari PSS Sleman, Laga Buruk. bali.idntimes.com. 2 July 2023. 2 July 2023.
  17. Web site: 3 Fakta Kei Sano, Bintang Baru PSS Sleman Saudara Kembar Artis Jepang. www.indosport.com. 29 April 2023. 29 April 2023. Indonesian.
  18. Web site: Japan - K. Sano - Profile with news, career statistics and history. Soccerway. 1 July 2023.