# Michael Fitzgerald (footballer)

Michael James Fitzgerald (フィッツジェラルド 舞行龍 ジェームズ, Fittsujerarudo Maikeru Jēmuzu, born 17 September 1988) is a New Zealand professional footballer who plays as a centre-back and currently play for J1 League club, Albirex Niigata.

## Early life

Fitzgerald received his secondary education at St Peter's College, Auckland (1999–2005). He is the brother of Isaac Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald's application for Japanese citizenship was approved in May 2013. This means he can no longer play for the All Whites. His former name is Fitzgerald Michael James (フィッツジェラルド・マイケル・ジェームズ).

## Club career
### Youth career

Fitzgerald went through the football academy at St Peter's College, in Auckland, New Zealand before moving to Japan. In 2005, Fitzgerald began his career at Seiritsu Gakuen High School with the youth team until he graduated in 2007.

### Senior career

In 2008, after he had graduated from high school, Fitzgerald began his career in the J1 League, with J1 club, Albirex Niigata as part of the first team. After 2009, he transferred to JSC Niigata, Zweigen Kanazawa and V-Varen Nagasaki on loan until 2013. He made his debut for Nagasaki on 31 March 2013, coming on in the 88th minute for Shoma Mizunaga as they won 3-1.
He returned to Albirex Niigata in 2016.
In 2017, Fitzgerald transferred to Kawasaki Frontale until 2019. However, he was only able to play 3 matches in the J1 league.
In 2019, he returned to his former club, Albirex Niigata. On 23 October 2022, he helped bring his club promotion to the J1 League during the 2023 season. Albirex were crowned champions of the J2 League in 2022. On 27 December 2023, Fitzgerald's contract was extended for the 2024 season.

## International career

Fitzgerald made his international New Zealand debut in a 1–1 draw with China on 25 March 2011. He later made two more appearances for New Zealand in friendly matches including a 3–0 loss to Mexico and another 3–0 loss to Australia.

## Personal life

Fitzgerald became a naturalized Japanese citizen in 2013.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of the start for 2025 season.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Season | Club | Division | League | League | Emperor's Cup | Emperor's Cup | J.League Cup | J.League Cup | Asia | Asia | Total | Total |
| Season | Club | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| 2008 | Albirex Niigata | J.League Div 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 0 | 0 |
| 2009 | Japan Soccer College | Hokushinetsu | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 11 | 0 |
| 2010 | Zweigen Kanazawa | JFL | 20 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 20 | 1 |
| 2011 | Zweigen Kanazawa | JFL | 25 | 1 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 26 | 1 |
| 2012 | V-Varen Nagasaki | JFL | 31 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 32 | 4 |
| 2013 | V-Varen Nagasaki | J.League Div 2 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 1 | 0 |
| 2013 | Albirex Niigata | J.League Div 1 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | — | 15 | 0 |
| 2014 | Albirex Niigata | J.League Div 1 | 29 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | — | — | 37 | 0 |
| 2015 | Albirex Niigata | J1 League | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 1 | — | — | 37 | 1 |
| 2016 | Albirex Niigata | J1 League | 22 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | — | — | 25 | 1 |
| 2017 | Kawasaki Frontale | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2018 | Kawasaki Frontale | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| 2019 | Kawasaki Frontale | J1 League | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| 2019 | Albirex Niigata | J2 League | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | Albirex Niigata | J2 League | 38 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 38 | 1 |
| 2021 | Albirex Niigata | J2 League | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 37 | 0 |
| 2022 | Albirex Niigata | J2 League | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 1 |
| 2023 | Albirex Niigata | J1 League | 19 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 24 | 1 |
| 2024 | Albirex Niigata | J1 League | 32 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 39 | 1 |
| 2025 | Albirex Niigata | J1 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 341 | 11 | 16 | 0 | 24 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 386 | 12 |

### International

| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
| New Zealand |
| New Zealand | 2011 | 3 | 0 |
| New Zealand | Total | 3 | 0 |

## Honours
### Club

Kawasaki Frontale
* J1 League: 2017, 2018
* J.League Cup Runner-up: 2017
* Japanese Super Cup Runner-up: 2018
V-Varen Nagasaki
* Japan Football League: 2012
Albirex Niigata
* J2 League: 2022

### Individual

* Japan Football League Team of the Year : 2012
* J2 League Team of the Year : 2022