Yuta Arai

Yuta Arai grew up in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, where he first played for Takasaki FC Nakagawa alongside childhood friend Masaya Shibayama, reaching the final of the Gunma Prefecture tournament in the national youth championship in his last year with the club. He moved on to Maebashi FC before joining Maebashi Ikuei High School, from where he progressed to Toyo University in 2021.

His route to the professional game ran through his studies rather than around them. In June 2023 the Japan Football Association designated him a Special Designated Player, a status that let him turn out for Tokyo Verdy while still enrolled at university. He took his chance immediately: on 5 July 2023 he made his professional debut in the J2 League and scored his first senior goal in the same match. Rather than turn professional straight away, he went back to Toyo University for the 2024 season, then signed a permanent contract with Tokyo Verdy as a free transfer on 1 February 2025.

Since establishing himself at the club, he has made around 81 senior appearances, scoring six goals. He has also been capped once for Japan's under-23 side.