The right-back footballer inducted in Japan's 23 man's squads for 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.
Gotoku Sakai is a native of New York City, United States, born on 14th March 1991, to a German mother and Japanese father. At the age of two, he relocated to Japan with his parents. He grew up alongside his brother, Noriyoshi, in Sanjo, Niigata prefecture playing football at Sanjo junior club.
When he turned 15, he moved to Albirex Niigata youth set up as well as enrolled at Kaishi Gakuen High School and joined the school’s football team.
Presently, Sakai gets paid €1.5 million per annum with €29,000 weekly pay from Hamburger SV. As of June 2018, his market value is estimated at around £1.35 million while back in 2013 his market worth was £3.60 million which show a drop in his market price.
He has endorsement deals with Adidas and Savas Aqua which are also his source of income.
As of 2018, his net worth is under-review.
On 15th November 2008, Sakai made his first-team debut for Niigata in the Emperor's Cup match against FC Tokyo. The following season, he officially signed with Albirex Niigata and was assigned the jersey No. 24. In the opening J1 League match of the 2009 season, Sakai made his professional football debut against FC Tokyo.
He remained two seasons with the club amassing 74 game appearances and one goal.
In January 2012, Sakai moved to VfB Stuttgart, signing a loan contract until June 2013, with an option to sign Sakai on a permanent basis.
On 11th February 2012, Sakai made his VfB Stuttgart and Bundesliga debut in a 5–0 home triumph over Hertha BSC. In his debut season, he played 14 games as well as recorded five assists. His Bundesliga goal came on 22 November 2012, in a 5–1 away win over FC Steaua Bucuresti in the 2012–13 UEFA Europa League group stage.
On 10th January 2013, Sakai signed a contract with Stuttgart until June 2016 and moved permanently to VfB.
On 6th July 2015, he confirmed a contract with Hamburger SV for a reported transfer fee of £630,000.
Gotoku Sakai was a part of Japan U-20 and U-23 national team. On 2nd July 2012, he was named for the 2012 Summer Olympics Football tournament in London.
On 6th September 2012, he made his international debut for the Japan senior squad against the United Arab Emirates in the Kirin Cup. Moreover, he has represented Japan, in 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and 2014 FIFA World Cup.
In May 2018, Sakai was included in Japan's preliminary squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup along with his teammates Maya Yoshida, Gen Shoji and Keisuke Honda.
Currently twenty-seven years old, Sakai stands five feet nine inches tall and weighs 74 Kg.
Moving into his personal life, Sakai married a Japanese woman, at the age of nineteen. The duo has two daughters. Sakai often shares pictures of his two daughters on his official Instagram account.
However, he has not shared any information concerning his wife.
Also Read.https://playerswiki.com/spencer-larsen
