Katsuya Nagato

[3] He made his debut in February 2017, playing 89 minutes in a 1-0 victory over Kashiwa Reysol, before being replaced by Tatsuya Masushima.

Manager Susumu Watanabe mainly played with a back three, with more attacking players Kunimitsu Sekiguchi and Yoshihiro Nakano often preferred on the left-hand side.

He also scored his first goal for the club in a 2-1 league win over Gamba Osaka, with a deflected shot from outside of the box.

[8][9] Nagato impressed as a goal provider, especially from corners, racking up 10 league assists which was second only to Teruhito Nakagawa of Yokohama F.

[13] Nagato made his first appearance in a continental competition in January, playing in the AFC Champions League qualifying play-offs, where Kashima fell to a 1-0 defeat to Melbourne Victory.