| Ryo Fujii | |
| Fullname: | Ryo Fujii |
| Birth Date: | 7 August 1996 |
| Birth Place: | Hong Kong |
| Height: | 1.78 m[1] |
| Position: | Defensive midfielder |
| Currentclub: | Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng |
| Clubnumber: | 28 |
| Youthyears2: | 2011–2012 |
| Youthclubs2: | Chivas USA |
| Youthyears3: | 2013–2014 |
| Youthclubs3: | LA Galaxy |
| Youthyears1: | 2010–2014 |
| Youthclubs1: | South High School |
| Collegeyears1: | 2014 |
| College1: | UC Santa Barbara Gauchos |
| Collegecaps1: | 19 |
| Collegegoals1: | 0 |
| Years1: | 2015–2017 |
| Clubs1: | LA Galaxy II |
| Caps1: | 58 |
| Goals1: | 4 |
| Years2: | 2018 |
| Clubs2: | Nyköpings BIS |
| Caps2: | 28 |
| Goals2: | 0 |
| Years3: | 2020 |
| Clubs3: | Global |
| Caps3: | 0 |
| Goals3: | 0 |
| Years4: | 2021–2022 |
| Clubs4: | Kaya–Iloilo |
| Caps4: | 10 |
| Goals4: | 1 |
| Years5: | 2023 |
| Clubs5: | PSIS Semarang |
| Caps5: | 15 |
| Goals5: | 0 |
| Years6: | 2023– |
| Clubs6: | Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng |
| Caps6: | 28 |
| Goals6: | 3 |
| Club-Update: | 16 August 2024 |
Ryo Fujii (Japanese: 藤井 竜|translit=Fujii Ryū; born 7 August 1996) is a professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Cambodian Premier League club Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng.
Fujii was born on 7 August 1996 in Hong Kong to a Japanese father and a Korean mother.[2] [3] [4] [5] At a young age, Fujii and his family relocated to Torrance, California where he was raised.[3] [4] Fujii attended South High School and played for the school's varsity team for all 4 years.[6] He joined and played with Chivas USA's youth side for the 2011–2012 U.S. Soccer Development Academy season before appearing with LA Galaxy's youth side for the 2013–2014 season.[6] [7] [8]
With his background, Fujii was considered a top collegiate soccer prospect.[9] [10] Fujii elected to attend the University of California, Santa Barbara after being recruited by head coach Tim Vom Steeg.[3] [11] While there, he played college soccer as a member of the UC Santa Barbara Gauchos men's soccer team.[12] He appeared in 19 games for the Gauchos and added 2 assists.[12] He was named to the Big West Conference All-Freshman Team following the conclusion of the season.[2] [3]
In February 2015, Fujii turned professional by signing with LA Galaxy II of the United Soccer League.[13] [14] By turning professional, he forfeited his amateur status and scholarship with UC Santa Barbara. Still, Fujii was the first player to sign for LA Galaxy under a new partnership with California State University that provided additional financial resources for schooling.[3] [13] [15] [16] Jovan Kirovski, the one responsible for Fujii's path, is unaware of any previous similar agreements and that this may be the first of its kind.[4] During his first professional season, he made twelve appearances for LA Galaxy II with 1 assist.[17]
On 1 March 2018, Fujii joined Nyköpings BIS in Ettan Fotboll, the Swedish third tier.[18]
On 25 February 2020, Fujii reportedly signed a deal with the Philippines Football League club Global but the club was banned by the Philippine Football Federation before the season could start.[19]
Philippines Football League club Kaya–Iloilo announced on 8 April 2021 that they have signed in Fujii.[5]
After 1 month trial, Ryo Fujii was officially signed by PSIS Semarang to face the second round of 2022–23 Liga 1.[20] Fujii made his professional debut on 16 January 2023 in a match against RANS Nusantara at the Pakansari Stadium, Bogor.[21]
Kaya–Iloilo
Preah Khan Reach Svay Rieng