# Masaru Hidaka

Masaru Hidaka (日高 大, Hidaka Masaru, born 14 March 1995) is a Japanese footballer who plays as a midfielder and currently play for J2 League club, JEF United Chiba.

## Youth career

Hidaka played for his high school between 2010 and 2012, before going on to play for Ryutsu Keizai University FC. In 2015 and 2016, Hidaka played 24 times in the Japan Football League for the university affiliate side Ryutsu Keizai Dragons Ryugasaki and scored his first goal for them in a 2–1 win over Sony Sendai FC. In 2016, he also made 10 appearances, scoring 4 goals for Ryutsu Keizai University in the JUFA Kanto League 1.

## Club career

In 2017, Hidaka signed for JFL club Honda FC. He made his debut for Honda in a 3–1 win over ReinMeer Aomori in March 2017 and scored his first goal for the club two months later in a 6–1 win over MIO Biwako Shiga. He also made his debut in the Emperor's Cup. Honda went on to be crowned JFL champions, with Hidaka making 22 league appearances, scoring 3 goals. Honda FC went on to win back-to-back league titles, with another league win coming in the 2018 season. Hidaka played 21 games in this season, scoring 2 goals and his performances earned him a place in the JFL Best XI for the season.
In December 2018, it was announced that Hidaka would be transferring to a lower division to play for Iwaki FC in the Tohoku Soccer League. Hidaka scored 6 goals across all competitions in his debut season, helping Iwaki to finish top of their regional division and go on to win promotion to the Japan Football League for the first time in their history following their victory in the Japanese Regional Football Champions League. Playing most of his career to date as a left-back, in the 2020 season Hidaka moved into a more advanced left-sided midfield position. Iwaki finished 7th in their first season in the JFL, but Hidaka managed to make the end of season Best XI for the second time in his career after scoring 4 goals in 15 games.
In only the club's second season participating in the JFL in the 2021 season, Iwaki FC gained promotion to the J3 League. Hidaka made 27 league appearances and was also inducted into the 2021 JFL Best XI for the third time.
In the 2022 season, Hidaka made his J.League debut in a 1–1 draw with Kagoshima United. Another excellent season ensued for him as he helped Iwaki to back-to-back promotions, playing in 32 out of a possible 34 league games and scoring 5 goals. For the second season running, Hidaka was inducted into the league's Best XI.
On 26 November 2022, it was announced that Hidaka would be joining JEF United Chiba for the 2023 season.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of the start of 2023 season.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National Cup | National Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | Japan | Japan | League | League | Emperor's Cup | Emperor's Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| RKU Dragons Ryugasaki | 2015 | JFL | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 10 | 0 |
| RKU Dragons Ryugasaki | 2016 | JFL | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 14 | 4 |
| RKU Dragons Ryugasaki | Total | Total | 24 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 4 |
| Honda FC | 2017 | JFL | 22 | 3 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 24 | 3 |
| Honda FC | 2018 | JFL | 21 | 2 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 21 | 2 |
| Honda FC | Total | Total | 43 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 45 | 5 |
| Iwaki FC | 2019 | Tohoku Soccer League | 15 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 27 | 6 |
| Iwaki FC | 2020 | JFL | 15 | 4 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 16 | 4 |
| Iwaki FC | 2021 | JFL | 27 | 1 | 1 | 1 | – | – | 28 | 2 |
| Iwaki FC | 2022 | J3 League | 32 | 5 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 32 | 5 |
| Iwaki FC | Total | Total | 89 | 15 | 3 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 103 | 17 |
| JEF United Chiba | 2023 | J2 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JEF United Chiba | Total | Total | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 156 | 24 | 5 | 1 | 11 | 1 | 172 | 26 |
* ↑ 5 appearances in the All Japan Senior Football Championship
* ↑ 6 appearances, 1 goal in the Japanese Regional Football Champions League

## Honours
### Club
#### Honda FC

* Japan Football League : 2017, 2018

#### Iwaki FC

* Tohoku Soccer League : 2019
* Japanese Regional Football Champions League : 2019
* Japan Football League : 2021
* J3 League : 2022

### Individual

* JFL Best XI: 2018, 2020, 2021
* J3 League Best XI: 2022