– Supporting the career of soccer’s rising star by securing sponsorship opportunities in Japan and overseas and building his brand –
Rakuten Sports, the global athlete support business of Rakuten Group, Inc. (hereinafter “Rakuten”), has signed a management contract with Takuhiro Nakai, who plays for Spanish soccer club Real Madrid.
Rakuten Sports is committed to building partnerships based on shared values with professional sports teams, athletes, branding, and rights holders. Through this agreement, it will secure sponsorship opportunities in Japan and overseas and support Nakai’s career by building his brand.
Nakai started playing soccer in elementary school, and after participating in a training camp held by Real Madrid, he signed with Real Madrid’s cantera (youth academy) at the age of nine in 2013. Nakai was the first Japanese player to sign with Real Madrid and is highly regarded as one of the most promising young players in soccer.
Nakai commented: “I am grateful to have renewed my contract with Real Madrid this year and to have also signed a management contract with Rakuten Sports. From here on, I will be competing on the world stage as a professional. I want to challenge myself against great teammates from around the world and improve my skills together with them. I will work hard every day in training and do my best so that I can play for the first team.”
Rahul Kadavakol, Vice President of Global Sports Business at Rakuten, commented: “We are very pleased to begin a partnership between Pipi (Nakai’s nickname) and Rakuten Sports. Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world, and in order to join one of the top clubs in the world, players must demonstrate their skills and efforts from an early age. We believe a partnership with Pipi, who is active in this world, is important in empowering young athletes. Going forward, Rakuten Sports will continue to encourage young athletes to pursue their sporting ambitions, while also firmly supporting the talents of the next generation of superstars for fans around the world.”
Since 2018, Rakuten has supported the branding activities of soccer player Andres Iniesta, who belongs to J1 League club Vissel Kobe, and has built a strong network in the soccer world in Japan and overseas through various initiatives. In addition, Rakuten Sports also supports the management of professional basketball B.LEAGUE player Yuki Kawamura of the Yokohama B-Corsairs, as well as Yuta Watanabe, who has played in Australia’s NBL (National Basketball League) and the NBA G League, and Rui Machida, who belongs to the W League’s Fujitsu Red Wave and played for the WNBA’s Washington Mystics in the 2022 season, providing support and management for athletes active in Japan and overseas. By leveraging these networks, the Rakuten Ecosystem, and branding expertise, Rakuten aims to support athletes’ activities in a wide range of ways.
Rakuten Sports will continue to contribute to the revitalization and development of the sports world as a whole through various initiatives that empower people through sports, including support for young athletes who will lead the next generation.
■ Takuhiro Nakai Profile
Date of birth: October 24, 2003 (18 years old)
Height/Weight: 181 cm / 67 kg
Hometown: Otsu City, Shiga Prefecture
Position: Midfielder
Club: Azufutbol Club (Shiga Prefecture) (2006-2013) – Real Madrid Castilla (Primera División RFEF) (as of 2022)
■ About Rakuten Sports
Rakuten Sports is committed to building partnerships based on shared values with professional sports teams, athletes, branding, and rights holders.
https://biz.sports.rakuten.net/
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*The information published here is current as of the announcement date. Please note that it may differ from the latest information.