Michael Fitzgerald (Albirex Niigata | Japan)

Mates with his cousin, she told me a little bit about his personal life. Not coming back to NZ anytime soon, and is happy in Japan with his kids and Japanese wife

Longshot, but say in 2021 (2 years from now) he could rescind his Japanese citizenship, and still be good enough to be picked by a J2 level team as a visa player, and so stay living in Japan - but be eligible for the AWs. After all Gifu FC have deemed Ryan de Vries good enough for a visa spot at that level.

He would probably only consider such a move if 1. Pay drop wasn't too huge, 2. Oceania had automatic WC 2022 entry, and 3. AWs coach had even some strong indication that he would be picked.

Like I said a big longshot.

A few weeks ago Torres, today Fitzgerald came up against Iniesta and David Villa as Kawasaki beat Vissel Kobe 2-1.

All 3 got 90 mins.

Not sure if their are any other Spanish legends, banking some yen in Japan.

Marking some big names in Spanish football of late, tonight a couple of Brazilian heavyweights.

Kawasaki host Shanghai SIPG in the ACL. Hulk & Oscar starting for Shanghai, and Fitzgerald as a RWB for the hosts.

Hulk scored twice in a 2-2 draw.

Fitzgerald 90 mins.

Played the full 90mins in the 4-0 win over the mighty Sydney FC.

On an enlarged bench for Kawasaki as they host Chelsea in a friendly.

The Blues also play Barca in Japan on Tuesday.

Bit of a step up from Bohemians & Eric Molloy, last week.

Transferred from Kawaskai to J2 side Albirex Niigata on 13th August.

Makes sense Kawasaki (3rd on table) are one of top J1 sides, and Fitzgerald was rarely making a match day squad.

Fitzgerald was previously with Niigata (2013-2016) when they were a J1 side. They have a 43,000 capacity stadium, but are currently 12th in J2. Were demoted to J2, 2017 season.

The Kiwi Japanese made his debut last week in a 0-3 home loss to Fagiano Okayama. Picked up a yellow, and subbed off after 75 mins (down 0-2 at that point).

Niigata play De Vries's Gifu on 19th November.

Mods can someone please update his club. Cheers

Another 75 mins before being subbed as Niigata lost 2-3 to Zweigen Kanazawa.

Same score when he left the paddock.

Full game in a 1-1 draw at top of the table Kashiwa Reysol.

Full game in a 2-1 with over JEF United, who had Jason Geria (ex Victory) on the bench.

Full game in a 1-1 draw with Tokyo Verdy.

Niigata are 13th in J2, 11 points off promotion playoff spots.

Full game in a 1-1 draw with Ventforet Kofu.

Niigata are 13th in J2, 11 points off promotion playoff spots.

Full game in 3-0 win over Mito Hollyhock.

Niigata still 11 points off the playoff spots.

Full game in a 6-0 win over Kagoshima United in the J2.

Niigata still a long shot for the playoffs, 8 points off 6th spot with 7 games left.

Result does De Vries's Gifu a favour, as Kagoshima are just two spots above them (3rd last in J2)

Full game in a 1-0 win at Ehime.

Niigata still a long shot for the playoffs, 7 points off 6th spot with 6 games left.

But their recent form has been impressive, unbeaten in 7 games.

Niigata lose 2-1 at Avispa Fukuoka, and being 9 pts off the playoff spots, with only 5 games left - it's pretty much season over for them.

Full game for Fitzgerald. 

Full game in a 3-1 win over Kyoto Sanga

Niigata 7 pts off playoff spots, with 4 games left.

Full game in a 3-1 win over Kyoto Sanga.

Unfortunately promotion is basically no chance now for Niigata, 3 games left and 9 points out of the playoff spots. They would need 3 wins, and teams above them all 3 losses for remaining games.

Full game in a 1-1 draw with Omiya Ardija.

With one match to go Niigata to finish mid table (currently 11th of 22 teams).

Full game in a 2-1 win over V-Varen Nagasaki.

Season over Niigata finish 10th in J2, 8 pts off the promotion playoff spots.

J2 season starts. 

Full game for Fitzgerald as Niigata win 3-0 at ThespaKusatsu Gunma.

Interesting how ThespaKusatsu Gunma's team is made up of Japanese players only.

Niigata had 6 (including Fitzegerald who I know counts as domestic) foreign players involved in this match.

ThespaKusatsu Gunma are newly promoted from J3. 

So probably have a much smaller budget that Niigata who are an ex J1 side, have a 42,000 capacity stadium, Spanish gaffer (ex Barcelona youth coach) and no doubt are aiming for promotion this season.

Any new on Ryan De Vries, trialling elsewhere post Western United?

Looks like J2 season is to restart 21st June.

J1 League a week earlier.

https://us.soccerway.com/national/japan/j2-league/2020/regular-season/r56776/

Not in match day squad as Albirex Niigata restart J2 season with a 3-3 draw at Ventforet Kofu

20 odd mins off the bench as Albirex Niigata suffer a 3-5 home loss to Zweigen Kanazawa.

Down 3-4 when he came on.

Subbed at 67 mins in a 1-0 win over Matsumoto Yamaga.

Same score when he came off.

Full game, yellow & a goal in a 3-3 draw verus Machida Zelvia

Niigata sit 6th in J2.

Fitzgerald's (no 5) goal at around 4.30 mins in the video. Albirex Niigata in white.

Worth watching whole 6 odd mins though, some cracking strikes by both teams, in the wet.

https://youtu.be/AoRDHFP1-gw

Fitzgerald playing as a CB. Was sometimes playing at RB for Kawasaki (one of the bigger J1 clubs), last year. Though more a J1 squaddie.

I seriously doubt he'd ever be lured away from Japan now (age 31, Japanese wife & kids), and of course would have to give up his Japanese passport to be eligible for AWs. Also AWs seem to have plenty of depth with CBs. Less at RB.

But left field idea is Nix could sign him as a visa player (if they had a free visa spot, and he was deemed worthy of one). 

Then if he caught the eye of Danny Hay, and Hay said he would pick him for the AWs with view to intercontinental playoffs, then he might consider renouncing his Japanese passport. From memory Japan don't allow dual passports, and that Japanese passport allows him to play as a local in Nippon.

If OFC drew out AFC or CONCACAF re intercontinental playoffs, and at age 31 you saw a small chance of going to a World Cup - you might be tempted. But yeah long shots all round.

Full game in 1-1 draw with Montedio Yamagata (20th)

Albirex Niigata now 8th.

Full game in 1-0 win over Mito Hollyhock.

Niigata up to 5th.

Japanese teams just have the best names

Full game in a 1-1 draw with Toyota Verdy.

Niigata with a 93rd min equaliser, back to 5th.

Full game in a 0-0 draw against Tochigi.

Niigata 6th.

Full game and yellow in 1-1 draw with Omiya Ardija (3rd).

Niigata 7th in the J2.

Full game in a 2-1 win over Renofa Yamaguchi

Niigata who had player sent off at 50 mins, up to 6th.

Subbed at 64 mins in a 1-0 loss at Fagiano Okayama (11th)

0-0 when he came off.

Niigata stay 6th.

Full game in a 1-1 draw verus Kyoto Sanga (6th)

Niigata 9th