- Source: Hiiro Komori
Hiiro Komori (小森 飛絢, Komori Hiiro, born 6 August 2000) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for J2 League club JEF United Chiba.
Youth career
Komori started out at FC Higashi. They trained on the same pitch as one of the strongest high school teams in Toyama Prefecture, Toyama Daiichi High School. Through this connection, he would make his way up to the school's first team.
In 2017 and 2018, Komori represented Toyama Daiichi High School in the Inter High School Championship and the Prince Takamado Trophy JFA U-18 Football League. In August 2018 in the Inter High School Championship, Komori scored seven goals in the space of three games, including two hat-tricks. Toyama Daiichi were knocked out by the eventual tournament winners Toko Gakuen High School in the quarter-finals. He finished as the tournament's top scorer.
In 2019, Komori began his University football career at Niigata University of Health and Welfare. He made his debut in a 1–1 draw with Fukuoka University in August 2019 and scored his first goal for in a 4–3 victory over the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya. In his first three years, Komori scored five goals in ten appearances.
In June 2022, Komori scored his highest profile goal for the university in a 2–1 defeat to J1 League team Kashima Antlers in the Emperor's Cup.
Club career
In July 2022, it was announced that Komori would be joining J2 League team JEF United Chiba for the 2023 season. Furthermore, in the following month, Komori was approved to be a designated special player for the remainder of the season, meaning he could represent both his university and JEF United Chiba. He made his debut in a 1–0 league defeat to V-Varen Nagasaki, one of two appearances he made as a designated special player.
In 2023, Komori scored on his professional debut in a 1–0 league victory over V-Varen Nagasaki. His scoring form continued early in the season, as he scored a goal in each of his first three games of the season. In his debut season, Komori scored 14 goals in 35 games across all competitions and was JEF United Chiba's top scorer and was fourth-highest scorer in the league with 13. At the end of season J2 awards ceremony, he was inducted into the 2023 J2 Best XI.
Komori continued his goalscoring form into the 2024 season with four goals in his first six league games. In September he was in incredible form, scoring 12 goals in 7 games and helping JEF United Chiba climb into the promotion play-off places. For his efforts, he was awarded the J2 League Monthly MVP award.
International career
In September 2022, Komori was selected as part of an All-Japan University Selection to tour Korea and Cambodia.
Career statistics
= Club
=As of the end 2024 season
Honours
Individual
J2 League Best XI: 2023
J2 League top scorer: 2024
References
External links
Profile at J.League
Profile at JEF United Chiba
Hiiro Komori at Soccerway