Ryoya Taniguchi (谷口 遼弥, Taniguchi Ryoya, born 31 August 1999), better known as Taniguchi, is a Japanese professional footballer who currently plays either as an attacking-midfielder or central-midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Geylang International. Regarded as one of the best midfielders in the league, he is known for his finishing, set-pieces n playmaking abilities.

Ryoya Taniguchi
Personal information
Date of birth (1999-08-31) 31 August 1999 (age 25)
Place of birth Kanazawa, Ishikawa, Japan
Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Position(s) Midfielder
Team information
Current team
Geylang International
Number 23
Youth career
Shonan SSS
Espoir Hakusan FC
0000–2019 Zweigen Kanazawa
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019 Zweigen Kanazawa 0 (0)
2019Japan Soccer College (loan) 6 (1)
2020–2021 Albirex Niigata (S) 33 (13)
2022–2023 Balestier Khalsa 52 (33)
2024– Geylang International 14 (5)
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 10:40, 2 January 2022 (UTC)

Club career

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Zweigen Kanazawa

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Ryoya got promoted to the senior squad of Zweigen Kanazawa ahead of the 2018 J2 League season.

Japan Soccer College

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In 2019, Ryoya was loaned to fifth tier league club, Japan Soccer College.[1]

Albirex Niigata (S)

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In early February 2020, Ryoya moved to Singapore to sign with Albirex Niigata (S) ahead of the 2020 Singapore Premier League season. On 29 February 2020, he scored his first goal for the club in his debut against Geylang International. Ryoya would then help the club to win the 2020 league title in his debut season. After making 33 appearances and scoring 14 goals in his two years stay at club, Ryoya would then signed a pre-contract agreement for Singapore Premier League side Balestier Khalsa on 27 October 2021.[2]

Balestier Khalsa

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On 1 January 2022, Ryoya was registered as a Balestier Khalsa player. He scored his first goal for the club against Tanjong Pagar United on 12 March 2022. Ryoya would then scored his first senior hat-trick against Lion City Sailors in a 5–3 home win on 2 October 2022.

On 10 March 2023, Ryoya scored a 90+10' min goal to turn the game from a 3–1 defeat to a 4–3 win which he grab a hat-trick against DPMM. He would go on to have his breakout season scoring 23 league goals in 24 appearances which he became the runners-up in the league goalscoring ranking 2 goals short away Maxime Lestienne 25 goals.

Career statistics

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Club

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As of 8 Apr 2023.[3]
Club Season League Cup Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Zweigen Kanazawa 2019 J2 League 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Japan Soccer College (loan) 2019 Hokushinetsu Football League 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1
Total 6 1 0 0 0 0 6 1
Albirex Niigata (S) 2020 Singapore Premier League 14 4 0 0 0 0 14 4
2021 19 9 0 0 0 0 19 9
Total 33 13 0 0 0 0 33 13
Balestier Khalsa 2022 Singapore Premier League 28 10 4 1 0 0 32 11
2023 24 23 3 1 0 0 27 24
Total 52 33 7 2 0 0 59 35
Geylang International 2024–25 Singapore Premier League 14 5 0 0 0 0 14 5
Total 14 5 0 0 0 0 14 5
Career total 105 52 7 2 0 0 112 54
Notes

Honours

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Club

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Albirex Niigata Singapore

Individual

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References

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  1. ^ "谷口 遼弥選手 ツエーゲン金沢より完全移籍加入のお知らせ" (Press release). アルビレックス新潟シンガポール. 2020-01-09. Retrieved 2020-01-24.
  2. ^ "Taniguchi Ryoya will be joining Balestier Khalsa FC in 2022 season".
  3. ^ Ryoya Taniguchi at Soccerway. Retrieved 29 February 2020.
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