Leo Brian Kokubo

Leo Brian Kokubo is a Japanese goalkeeper born in Chiba on 23 January 2001. He began playing as a forward before switching to goalkeeping after being noticed at Kashiwa Effort FC, then developed through Kashiwa Reysol’s youth system. In January 2019, Kokubo moved to Benfica, where he progressed through the club’s under-19 and under-23 teams and represented Benfica B. He started the 2020 UEFA Youth League final against Real Madrid and was part of Benfica’s group for the 2023 Portuguese Super Cup triumph. In 2024, Kokubo made a decisive contribution to Japan’s Olympic-age side by saving a late penalty in the AFC U-23 Asian Cup final against Uzbekistan. He later joined St. Truiden, adding Belgian club football to an international pathway that has also included Japan’s national setup.