Junya Ito is one of Japan’s most consistent attacking players, known for his electric pace and precision on the right wing.
This article covers his estimated net worth, salary at Racing Genk, career earnings by year, and endorsement deals.
Junya Ito’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Junya Itō (伊東 純也) |
| Date of Birth | March 9, 1993 |
| Age | 33 |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Place of Birth | Yokosuka, Kanagawa, Japan |
| Height / Weight | 1.77 m / 68 kg |
| Position | Right Winger / Forward |
| Current Club | KRC Genk (Belgian Pro League) |
| Turned Professional | 2015 |
| Net Worth | ~$5 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | ~€1.2 million (estimated) |
| International Caps / Goals | 69 / 15 |
| Outfitter | Puma |
| Contract Expiry | June 30, 2028 |
Early Life and Career
Junya Ito grew up in Yokosuka, a port city in Kanagawa Prefecture shaped by a mix of Japanese culture and American naval influence.
He started playing football at six years old, passing through local youth clubs including Kamoi SC and Yokosuka Seagulls before attending Kanagawa Prefectural Zuyo High School.
Rather than joining a professional academy, Ito chose to develop his game at Kanagawa University from 2011 to 2015.
He combined his studies with competitive football, and his performances during this period attracted the attention of J1 League club Ventforet Kofu, who signed him as a Special Designated Player in 2015.
His debut professional season was impressive — he made 30 appearances and scored four goals for Kofu, enough to earn a move to Kashiwa Reysol in January 2016.
Ito spent four seasons at the Chiba club, developing into a reliable wide attacker and earning his first Japan national team call-up in 2017.
His willingness to take a non-traditional path through university football rather than a youth academy spoke to his mental toughness and self-belief from an early age.
Professional Career
Ito’s European breakthrough came in January 2019 when Kashiwa Reysol loaned him to Racing Genk in Belgium’s top flight. He performed well enough to earn a permanent deal in July 2020.
At Genk, he was a standout performer — Transfermarkt records show he won the Belgian First Division title in 2018–19 and led the Pro League in assists during the 2021–22 season, landing a spot in the league’s Golden Eleven.
That form attracted Stade de Reims, who signed him for a reported €10 million transfer fee in July 2022. Ito spent three seasons in Ligue 1 with Reims, contributing 13 goals and several assists across 99 appearances.
He helped the club reach the 2024–25 French Cup final, though they finished as runners-up.
When Reims were relegated to Ligue 2 in 2025, Ito returned to Racing Genk on a fresh deal, as confirmed by ESPN, rejoining the club where he had his best European form.
He wears the prestigious number 10 jersey at Genk and has continued delivering at a high level, recording six goals and five assists in the 2025–26 Belgian Pro League season.
On the international stage, Ito is Japan’s top assist provider in the Asian World Cup qualifiers and has earned 69 caps with 15 goals as of May 2026.
He was named in Japan’s official squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup — the team’s eighth consecutive appearance at the tournament.
Junya Ito’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Junya Ito’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $5 million.
He built this wealth through consistent professional contracts in Japan, Belgium, and France, supplemented by transfer bonuses and brand partnerships.
Contract
Ito returned to KRC Genk on August 9, 2025, signing a deal that runs until June 30, 2028. According to Transfermarkt, Genk paid €2.8 million to Reims to secure his transfer.
The three-year contract gives Ito security through to age 35, a notable vote of confidence in a player at that stage of his career.
His current market value is listed at approximately €3.0–3.6 million, reflecting his proven contribution at the Jupiler Pro League level. Genk assigned him the number 10 shirt, underlining his importance to the squad.
Salary
Salary data shows Ito earned approximately £1 million per year (around £19,475 per week) at Stade de Reims during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 seasons.
During his earlier stint at Genk, his salary was lower — around €310,000 per year (€5,962 per week) between 2020 and 2022.
His current salary at Genk in 2025–26 is not publicly confirmed, but based on his transfer fee and role as the club’s number 10, an annual wage in the range of €1.0–1.3 million is a reasonable estimate.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Team | Annual Salary (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ventforet Kofu | ~¥8M JPY |
| 2016–2018 | Kashiwa Reysol | ~¥25–40M JPY |
| 2018–2019 | Racing Genk (loan) | ~€360,000 |
| 2019–2020 | Racing Genk | ~€360,000 |
| 2020–2021 | Racing Genk | ~€310,000 |
| 2021–2022 | Racing Genk | ~€310,000 |
| 2022–2023 | Stade de Reims | ~€950,000 |
| 2023–2024 | Stade de Reims | ~€1,000,000 |
| 2024–2025 | Stade de Reims | ~€1,000,000 |
| 2025–2026 | Racing Genk | ~€1,200,000 (est.) |
Endorsements
Ito wears Puma boots and apparel as his official outfitter — a relationship that has held across his time in Europe.
Puma sponsors several prominent Japanese internationals, and Ito fits the brand’s profile as a dynamic wide player with a growing international profile.
He has also partnered with Japanese consumer brands over the course of his career.
The Influencer Marketing Hub has estimated that a single sponsored post on his Instagram account could generate between $473 and $789, reflecting a mid-tier but engaged audience.
His participation in the 2026 FIFA World Cup is likely to expand his commercial exposure significantly, particularly in the Japanese market where World Cup campaigns generate major brand interest in national team players.
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | Ventforet Kofu | J.League | 30 | 4 | — |
| 2016–2018 | Kashiwa Reysol | J.League | 68 | 12 | — |
| 2018–2019 | Racing Genk | Belgian Pro League | 13 | 3 | 2 |
| 2019–2020 | Racing Genk | Belgian Pro League | 29 | 5 | 7 |
| 2020–2021 | Racing Genk | Belgian Pro League | 38 | 11 | 13 |
| 2021–2022 | Racing Genk | Belgian Pro League | 39 | 8 | 16 |
| 2022–2023 | Stade de Reims | Ligue 1 | 35 | 6 | 5 |
| 2023–2024 | Stade de Reims | Ligue 1 | 31 | 3 | 7 |
| 2024–2025 | Stade de Reims | Ligue 1 | 34 | 4 | 5 |
| 2025–2026 | Racing Genk | Belgian Pro League | 18 | 4 | 2 |
Japan National Team
| Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 3 | 0 |
| 2018 | 4 | 2 |
| 2019 | 10 | 0 |
| 2020 | 3 | 0 |
| 2021 | 9 | 5 |
| 2022 | 13 | 2 |
| 2023 | 8 | 4 |
| 2024 | 10 | 1 |
| 2025 | 6 | 0 |
| 2026 | 3 | 1 |
| Total | 69 | 15 |
FAQs
What is Junya Ito’s net worth?
Junya Ito’s net worth is estimated at approximately $5 million. He earned this through professional contracts at Genk and Reims, transfer bonuses, and brand endorsements, primarily his ongoing deal with Puma.
What is Junya Ito’s salary at Racing Genk?
His exact salary at Genk in 2025–26. Based on his prior earnings at Reims — around £1 million per year — and his number 10 role at Genk, his annual wage is estimated at approximately €1.0–1.3 million.
How many caps does Junya Ito have for Japan?
Ito has earned 69 caps for the Japan national team and scored 15 international goals. He is part of Japan’s 2026 FIFA World Cup squad in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Is Junya Ito playing in the 2026 FIFA World Cup?
Yes. Ito was named in Japan’s official 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Japan are in Group F alongside the Netherlands, Tunisia, and Sweden.
What clubs has Junya Ito played for?
Ito has played for Ventforet Kofu, Kashiwa Reysol, Racing Genk (two spells), and Stade de Reims. He rejoined Genk in August 2025 on a deal running until June 2028.
