Michael Fitzgerald (Albirex Niigata)

V varen nagasaki are 2nd on the standings in j league 3 and fitzgerald is on the verge to earn promotion to j league 2 with few games remaining on the season. «it remains to see if his performances in midfield this season will permit him to play with Albirex niigata in J league next season

http://fr.soccerway.com/teams/japan/v-nagasaki-hualian/

In Japan Michael Fitzgerald scored the opener for V-Varen Nagasaki in their 2-1 away win over Blaublitz Akita.  The win took Nagasaki to the top of the Japan Football League tied on points but with a game in hand.

V-Varen Nagasaki continue to bare down on promotion to J2, with three matches remaining Michael Fitzgerald's club is six points clear of their nearest rivals after a 1-1 draw with Sagawa Printing.  The 2011 All Whites defender was pushed into midfield in the Japan Football League match playing the full 90 minutes.

Michael Fitzgerald and V-Varen Nagasaki had the opportunity to wrap up the Japan Football League title on the penultimate weekend of the season after they defeated YSCC 3-0.  Second-placed Nagano's loss handed Nagasaki promotion to J2, the second tier of domestic football in Japan, with a round to play.

Machida Zelvia finished their first season in the J-League under manager Osvaldo Ardiles in last place. Zelvia will be relegated should Japan Football League champion V-Varen Nagasaki meet requirements for entry into the J-League.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/text/sj20121113a1.html

first game in the j league 2 for fitzgerald is in less than a month with v varen nagasaki, on Marh 3th 2013. No news about any  return to j league side albirex niigata

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/j-league-division-2/tabelle/wettbewerb_JAP2.html

Not even on the bench for the 1st game of nagasaki in the j league 2. Don't know if he is injured or maybe he went back to albirex niigata. Maybe somebody who speaks japanese can find the info in the internet

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/fagiano-okayama-v-varen-nagasaki/index/spielbericht_2287798.html

Not in the team this week either ill have a look round

seems to have a knee injury but still with the team

That explains the situation!

i know watch alot of j2 as my team gamba got relegated to it, we actually played v-veran nagasaki today 3-1 win to gamba. but was in team of year last year so when he recovers he will get time

He came on as a late sub in a 3-1 win over tottori so coming back from injury

J2 level is still rather average but i hope hes on his way up

It pretty decent there some good teams there.  Kyoto and Kobe and osaka to name a few.  Quite often the promoted teams have gone on to win j1 the next year.  And gamba osaka were champs 3 years ago an now in j2 and not dominating. Very frustrating as a fan

facial injury
until approx.: Beginning of July 2013

Fitzgerald's application for Japanese citizenship was approved in May 2013. Now he is ready to train with his team who is 3rd in the standings in the j2

Unused sub in today s 2-0 home loss:

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/michael-fitzgerald/leistungsdaten/spieler_79314.html

He wasnt on bench again today, maybe injured again....  Played all of 2 minutes this season

You look at wrong team. Michael go back to J1 Team Albirex Niigata Tues 6 August. He on bench for J1 Albirex Niigata in Saturday game and debut in J1 as Sub in 67minute.

Yes J1 Top league in Japan.

If Michael is getting minutes in J1 playing then Ricki can't really not afford not to have another look at him, especially since I believe over the last season or two he has been playing in a CM role.

However, Michael is not a favourite and we still have atleast 3 - 4 other strikers we can try at DM in the mean time.

That is a significant move up - no doubt he should be considered for the AW's again.

Pretty sure he was playing in defense for nagasaki

I follow Japan football. My Team - Nagano. Nagasaki beat my team for J2.

Nagasaki coach play him last year for def midfield. He name in JFL top 11 2012.

He Japan citizen, no play for NZ. 

http://www.albirex.co.jp/news/photo_diary/39616

http://au.soccerway.com/matches/2013/08/10/japan/j1-league/ventforet-kofu/albirex-niigata/1445002/?ICID=PL_MS_11

I see from our reliable friend Wikipedia that his application for Japanese citizenship was approved in May 2013. I know Japan is funny about dual citizenship... so would this in anyway negate his availability for the All Whites? Sorry my knowledge on this topic is rather limited!

Edit - seems the forum isn't quite able to handle Japanese characters.

I know some countries you can't lose your citizenship. I know if you give up you Australian citizenship you can just get it back an be a dual citizen that way.  Not 100% sure about nz though.  Imagine it will be the same and as he has already played for nz it shouldn't be a problem.

I know for sports japan often makes allowances, a lot of rugby players here have dual citizenship 

P.s.  gamba gamba, Osaka gamba. Top of j2 ATM 

He's only played in friendlies for NZ though so he could still swap  - if he was eligible for Japan when he played for NZ, which I'm unsure on. Is his mum Japanese?

I think the main issue is that as in the HAL there are foreign quotas. Michael won't be regarded as a foreigner any more.

It is interesting to see how this affects his AWs chances. Certainly worth a shot in the upcoming friendlies if available.

He has already been tried and found not good enough. Why would we revisit him?

I don't think you can have dual citizenship with Japan. And I remember something about his wanting to play for NZ causing issues. So maybe he isn't available for NZ anymore?

Certainly we should look at any player in the J1, especially young players who may have improved their game.