Yuya Osako is your 2023 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Player of the Year!

The Vissel Kobe man scored a league-best 22 goals to help his club to their very first J1 title, making him the clear choice as the top player for the year.

Osako’s consistency was unmatched, as he scored in 19 different matches and Vissel only lost one of the games in which he scored. The forward also added seven assists, proving to be a constant threat in the attack in every way.

Osako’s most important goal came in Matchweek 31 with Vissel fighting to hang on for the title. They looked set to draw Urawa Reds, dropping key points, when Osako scored from nearly midfield deep into stoppage time for an astounding goal that put his team on the verge of the title.

A week later, Vissel clinched the league with Osako dishing out two assists in the 2-1 that delivered the title to Kobe.

With his prolific finishing and creative passing, Osako did it all in a championship season to remember. Now, he also has a Player of the Year award to show for it.