Eiji Kawashima is a Japanese professional footballer signed to Ligue 1 club Strasbourg as a goalkeeper. He began his professional career in 2001 and has played for Omiya Ardija, Nagoya Grampus Eight, Kawasaki Frontale, Lierse, Standard Liege, Dundee United, and Metz. At the international level, he has represented Japan national team since 2008 and earned 95 caps.
Born in Yono, Saitama, Japan, on March 20, 1983, Eiji Kawashima was introduced to football in the Yononishi Junior High School and played from 1995 to 1997.
Then, Kawashima went to Urawa Higashi High School in 1998 and played till 2000. Despite his excellent grades, Eiji Kawashima chose a professional football career over his University studies and later commenced his professional career with Omiya Ardija.
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Eiji Kawashima's net worth in 2022 is estimated at around $4 million. Kawashima makes £4,300 per week and £223,600 per year playing for R.C. Strasbourg. His current contract expires on June 30, 2023.
Eiji shares a photo with Puma sneaker SOURCE: Instagram@eijikawashima01 While playing for the Metz, his annual salary was $664,000. He has kept his property and endorsement detail undisclosed.
A Puma athlete, Eiji's current market value is reported to be $298,129, while his highest market value was recorded on June 25, 2013, which was $4.5 million.
Eiji Kawashima has played for seven clubs in his playing career of 16 years, as well as for the Japan U-20 Team and the Japan National Team.
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Though Eiji attended Urawa Higashi High School, instead of signing with Urawa Red Diamonds, he was signed by Omiya Ardija in January 2001. The club even sent Kawashima to train with Parma F.C. in the Serie A league in Italy.
In 2004, Kawashima joined Japan's J. League side Nagoya Grampus Eight and served as an alternate for veteran goalkeeper Seigo Narazaki until 2005 as he came in the primary role. Later at the end of the 2006 season, Eiji Kawashima left the club.
Eiji Kawashima, in 2007, signed with Kawasaki Frontale on a transfer fee of $1.35 million, making the most considerable transfer fee for a player in the J. League. In Eiji's first season with Kawasaki Frontale, the team qualified for the 2007 AFC Champions League but eventually lost in the knock-out round with Iran.
On July 7, 2010, Eiji Kawashima joined Lierse S.K. after participating in the FIFA World Cup. In a match between Lierse S.K. and Germinal Beerscho on August 19, 2011, one of Beerschot's fans threw a projectile in the direction of Kawashima and insulted him with chants.
Eventually, the (RBFA) fined Beerschot $34,920 and an apology.
Eiji Kawashima joined Standard Liege on July 18, 2012, on a 3-year contract. And after his contract expired, Eiji signed with Scottish Premiership club Dundee United on December 29, 2015.
Kawashima plays in the French league as goalkeeper SOURCE: Kyodo News Kawashima made his debut for the club on January 2, 2016, against city rivals Dundee but lost by 2–1. Following the season, he was released from Dundee United.
Kawashima penned a contract with Ligue 1 side Metz on August 2, 2016, and initially served as a backup to
Thomas Dillon, later making their full-time debut with the club against Lens in the 2016-17 Coupe de France.
He was included in the 2010 FIFA World Cup squad as the backup goalkeeper to Seigo Narazak. Later playing as the starting goalkeeper in a Friendly against England, he blocked shots from Frank Lampard twice, including a penalty kick and a free-kick by Wayne Rooney, but lost due to 2 own goals.
He also won the 2011 AFC Asian Cup with Japan and played in the 2014 FIFA World Cup. After being named in Japan's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, he is set to play World Cup for the 3rd time under the captainship of Makoto Hasebe.
Eiji Kawashima stands 6ft and 1 inch in height while his weight is reportedly 82 kg.
Kawashima likes to keep it a secret regarding his personal and family life. Kawashima is a married person, revealed via his blog, though he has held the wife's identity secret.
Eiji shares a photo with his wife SOURCE: Instagram@eijikawashima01
Kawashima and his wife are the parents of their son Kensei Kawashima. His girlfriend turned wife is believed to be of half Japanese and half Colombian descent. The duo is the proud parents of three children.
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