From university student to European star: the meteoric rise of Ayase Ueda
In short: In 2019, he was still playing for a Japanese university team. By 2026, he was a prolific Eredivisie top scorer and a multi-million euro signing for Lille. Discover how one striker's clinical efficiency transformed him from a domestic talent into a global force.
Ayase Ueda's ascent is defined by a rapid transition from the Japanese collegiate system to the highest levels of European football. While studying Sport Studies at Hosei University, Ueda proved his clinical nature early, earning the JUFA Kanto League 1 Best Rookie award after netting 15 goals in 27 matches. His impact helped secure the All Japan University Football Championship for Hosei, marking the school's first title in over four decades.
His professional breakthrough arrived with Kashima Antlers, where he transitioned from a university standout to a J.League force. During the 2021 season, he became the club's leading scorer with 14 goals, even while recovering from a mid-season groin injury. His efficiency only accelerated upon moving to Europe; at Cercle Brugge, he recorded 23 goals in 42 appearances across all competitions, eventually earning a high-profile €8 million move to Feyenoord in 2023.
The 2025–26 season cemented his status as an elite finisher. Playing for Feyenoord, Ueda achieved his most dominant run, scoring 25 goals in 31 league matches to become the Eredivisie top scorer. This performance made him only the seventh player in Feyenoord's history to lead the league in scoring. His upward trajectory continued into the summer of 2026, when he secured a €15 million transfer to the French club Lille.
Beyond club success, Ueda has been a vital component of the Japan national team. A frequent presence in major tournaments, he played a key role in Japan's fourth-place finish at the 2020 Summer Olympics and has been a consistent goalscorer in World Cup qualification, including a memorable hat-trick against Myanmar in late 2023.
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