# Noriyoshi Sakai

Noriyoshi Sakai (酒井 宣福, Sakai Noriyoshi, born 9 November 1992) is a Japanese professional footballer who currently play for J2 League club, Sagan Tosu. A versatile midfielder, Sakai can play in many different positions, although left wing is his preferred position.
He is the younger brother of current Vissel Kobe player and former Albirex Niigata teammate Gotoku Sakai.

## Club career

On 2 November 2010, Sakai signed for J. League club Albirex Niigata. He made his J. League debut on 7 May 2011, coming on as a substitute for Yoshiyuki Kobayashi against Omiya Ardija.
After Nagoya Grampus contract expired for 2024 season, Noriyoshi was announced that he would return to J2 relegated club, Sagan Tosu from 2025 season.

## Personal life

Sakai is the younger brother of Gōtoku Sakai who is currently playing for J1 League club Vissel Kobe while his youngest brother, Goson Sakai who is also a professional footballer who last played for German club, FV Illertissen.

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of the start from 2025 season
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | National cup | National cup | League cup | League cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Japan | Japan | Japan | League | League | Emperor's Cup | Emperor's Cup | J. League Cup | J. League Cup | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Albirex Niigata | 2011 | J.League Div 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 3 | 0 |
| Albirex Niigata | 2012 | J.League Div 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 4 | 0 |
| Albirex Niigata | 2013 | J.League Div 1 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 11 | 0 |
| Albirex Niigata | 2016 | J1 League | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | – | – | 12 | 0 |
| Albirex Niigata | 2017 | J1 League | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 14 | 1 |
| Albirex Niigata | Total | Total | 32 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 44 | 1 |
| Avispa Fukuoka (loan) | 2014 | J.League Div 2 | 37 | 7 | 1 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 38 | 7 |
| Avispa Fukuoka (loan) | 2015 | J2 League | 39 | 7 | 3 | 3 | – | – | 2 | 0 | 44 | 10 |
| Avispa Fukuoka (loan) | Total | Total | 76 | 14 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 82 | 17 |
| Fagiano Okayama (loan) | 2016 | J2 League | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 2 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Omiya Ardija | 2018 | J2 League | 36 | 3 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 37 | 3 |
| Omiya Ardija | 2019 | J2 League | 22 | 2 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 1 | 0 | 25 | 2 |
| Omiya Ardija | 2020 | J2 League | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | – | – | 5 | 0 |
| Omiya Ardija | Total | Total | 63 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 67 | 5 |
| Sagan Tosu | 2021 | J1 League | 29 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | – | – | 34 | 8 |
| Nagoya Grampus | 2022 | J1 League | 17 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | – | – | 22 | 3 |
| Nagoya Grampus | 2023 | J1 League | 20 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 4 | – | – | 28 | 4 |
| Nagoya Grampus | 2024 | J1 League | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | – | – | 5 | 0 |
| Renofa Yamaguchi | 2024 | J2 League | 10 | 2 | – | – | – | – | – | – | 10 | 2 |
| Sagan Tosu | 2025 | J2 League | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 256 | 32 | 20 | 3 | 21 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 303 | 40 |
* 1 2 J1 League Promotion play-off
* 1 2 J1/J2 Play-offs