Musashi Suzuki

Musashi Suzuki (鈴木 武蔵, Suzuki Musashi, born 11 February 1994) is a Japanese footballer who plays for the Belgian First Division A team K Beerschot VA. He is a striker who is usually deployed on the left wing as a wide forward to exploit his speed.

His mother Mariko is Japanese and his father Robert is Jamaican. He was born in Jamaica but grew up in Ōta, Japan.

Suzuki entered Kiryu Daiichi High School and played for the school football club. In the 2011 season, the team advanced to the All Japan High School Soccer Tournament. During which time he was also a member of the U-17 Japanese National Team for the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup hosted by Mexico. He played four games in the competition.

After graduating high school in 2012, Suzuki signed full professional terms with Albirex Niigata. On 4 April 2012, Suzuki made his first team debut against Shimizu S-Pulse in the J. League Cup as a 46th-minute substitute. He also came on again in the League Cup as a substitute as Albirex went on to win the match 4–3 against Omiya Ardija, where he scored his first goal.

V-Varen Nagasaki signed Suzuki before the start of the 2018 J1 season.

National team career

Born in Jamaica to a Jamaican father and raised in Japan by his Japanese mother, Suzuki is eligible to represent both Jamaica and Japan. In June 2011, Suzuki was elected Japan U17 national team for 2011 U17 World Cup. He played 4 matches.

He participated in Japan U-23 national team during 2016 AFC U23 Championship which Japan won the tournament. In August 2016, he was also elected U23 Japan for 2016 Summer Olympics. He played 2 matches and scored a goal against Nigeria.

He made his debut for the senior squad on 22 March 2019 in a friendly against Colombia, as a starter.