Shoki Hirai
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Shoki Hirai | ||
| Date of birth | 4 December 1987 | ||
| Place of birth | Tokushima, Tokushima, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Playing position | Striker | ||
| Club information | |||
|
Current team
|
Giravanz Kitakyushu | ||
| Number | 14 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2003–2005 | Gamba Osaka | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2006–2013 | Gamba Osaka | 90 | (31) |
| 2012 | → Albirex Niigata (loan) | 21 | (0) |
| 2014–2016 | Avispa Fukuoka | 57 | (5) |
| National team‡ | |||
| 2007 | Japan U-20 | 1 | (0) |
| * Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 23 February 2016. ‡ National team caps and goals correct as of 14 January 2012 |
|||
Shoki Hirai (平井 将生 Hirai Shōki?, born 4 December 1987 in Tokushima) is a Japanese footballer.
Hirai was born in Tokushima, Shikoku region, and began his career playing for his local club Kamihachiman SC before moving to a higher level joining Premiere SC in 2000.
At the age of 15, he was invited to attend Gamba Osaka youth academy. After spending three years there, Hirai signed his first professional contract with Gamba on 6 December 2005. He was, along with fellow player Michihiro Yasuda, promoted to the senior squad and assigned the number 34 shirt. He made his professional debut on 9 December 2006 in the Emperor's Cup 4th round match against Sanfrecce Hiroshima. The following season, Hirai took over the number 14 shirt, previously worn by Akihiro Ienaga.
In the 2008 season, Hirai playing time increased significantly as he appeared in 8 league matches. He made his J. League debut on 27 April 2008 against Vissel Kobe coming on as a substitute in the 80th minute. After making a few substitute appearances, he made his first league start on 26 July 2008 in a 1–0 defaut Oita Trinita playing 45 minutes. Hirai scored his first professional goal on 2 July 2008 in a J. League Cup match against Yokohama F. Marinos, which proved to be the winner as Gamba won the match 1–0. During the season, he signed new five-year contract.
Hirai had arguably one of the best seasons of his career in the 2010 season. He appeared in 31 total matches scoring a career-high 20 goals. On 23 March 2010, Hirai scored first career hat-trick against Singapore Armed Forces in the AFC Champions League. He was later named Man of the match for this performance, which led to a 4–2 victory.
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