Selected to FIFA 100: 2004
Coppa Italia: 2002 (with AC Parma)
Serie A Champions: 2001 (with AS Roma)
AFC Asian Player of the Year: 1997 1998
Biography
Hidetoshi Nakata (born January 22, 1977 in Yamanashi), is a
Japanese football (soccer) player. He is one of the most famous
Asian footballers of his generation.
After playing for five different clubs in Italy (and winning an
Italian league title), Nakata has moved to England in August
2005 to try his luck in the Premiership with a loan spell at
Bolton Wanderers. Nakata's first start for Bolton was in the
club's first-ever European match, the first leg of their UEFA
Cup tie against Bulgarian side Lokomotiv Plovdiv, which Bolton
won 2-1.
Nakata has adapted well to the pace and physicality of the
English Premier League, forcing his way into contention for a
regular starting place with Wanderers, and looks set to become
one of manager Sam Allardyce's finer signings.
