Kento Shiogai is one of Japanese football’s most exciting young strikers. At just 21 years old, he has already made the leap to the Bundesliga with VfL Wolfsburg.
This article covers everything about his net worth, salary, contract, and career journey.
Kento Shiogai’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Kento Shiogai (塩貝 健人) |
| Date of Birth | March 26, 2005 |
| Age | 21 |
| Place of Birth | Tokyo, Japan |
| Nationality | Japanese |
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 77 kg |
| Position | Centre-Forward |
| Current Club | VfL Wolfsburg |
| Turned Professional | 2024 |
| Net Worth | ~$1 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | €750,000 (estimated, Wolfsburg) |
| Player Agent | Sports360 GmbH |
Early Life and Career
Kento Shiogai was born on March 26, 2005, in Tokyo, Japan. He grew up playing youth football at Buddy SC Koto before joining the Yokohama FC academy between 2019 and 2021.
At Yokohama FC, he struggled to break into the U-18 team, but the setback only redirected him toward a different path.
He then enrolled at Kokugakuin University Kugayama High School, where his football career truly took shape.
Shiogai became team captain in his third year and caught national attention during Japan’s prestigious high school football tournament.
Although his team fell to eventual champions Okayama Gakugeikan on penalties, Shiogai was selected as one of the top 36 players of the entire competition and named to the Japan High School Squad of the Year.
His performances earned him a place at one of Japan’s most prestigious academic institutions, Keio University, where he enrolled in the Faculty of Law studying Political Science.
He wore the number 10 for the university team and continued to develop as a top attacking threat. His time in the Keio University football program kept him on the radar of professional clubs in Japan and Europe.
Professional Career
Shiogai’s senior career began when Keio University sent him on loan to J1 League side Yokohama F. Marinos in February 2024. He made 7 appearances and scored 1 goal during that stint, gaining his first taste of professional football at just 18 years old.
After returning from loan, he made a bold move to European football, signing for NEC Nijmegen in the Dutch Eredivisie on a free transfer in August 2024.
The move was partly inspired by the success of compatriot Koki Ogawa, who had proven that Japanese forwards could thrive in the Netherlands. Shiogai repaid NEC’s faith immediately, scoring 7 goals in his first 12 Eredivisie appearances of the 2025/26 season.
That form made him one of the most talked-about young strikers in European football heading into January 2026. VfL Wolfsburg officially announced his signing on January 20, 2026, completing a transfer of approximately €9–10 million.
Wolfsburg sporting director Pirmin Schwegler praised his pace, pressing intensity, and overall fit for the club’s style of play.
Shiogai became only the third Japanese player to represent Wolfsburg, following Makoto Hasebe and Yoshito Ōkubo.
On the international stage, he has represented Japan at U18, U19, U23, and senior levels, contributing 10 goals across 19 youth international appearances.
He won the Tournoi Maurice Revello in 2024 with Japan U19 and received his first senior Japan call-up in 2026.
Kento Shiogai’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Kento Shiogai’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $1 million.
He built this wealth through his professional contracts at Yokohama F. Marinos, NEC Nijmegen, and now VfL Wolfsburg. Given his age of just 21 and the significant salary uplift that came with his Bundesliga move, his net worth is expected to grow rapidly over the coming seasons.
Contract
Shiogai signed a long-term contract with VfL Wolfsburg that runs until June 30, 2030. The deal was confirmed on January 20, 2026, following a transfer fee of approximately €9.5 million paid to NEC Nijmegen.
He wears the number 7 shirt at the Volkswagen Arena. The contract gives Wolfsburg security over one of their prized young attackers through four full seasons, with no publicly confirmed release clause or option periods disclosed.
Salary
During his time at NEC Nijmegen, Capology estimated Shiogai’s gross salary at approximately €70,000 per year — a relatively modest figure for the Eredivisie but standard for a young player on his first professional European deal.
After his move to Wolfsburg, that salary increased substantially. Salary data from AiScore places his current annual base salary at approximately €750,000, making him a mid-range earner among Wolfsburg’s squad but a significant step up from his NEC wages.
He earns an estimated €14,423 per week at Wolfsburg.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | League | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 (loan) | Yokohama F. Marinos | J1 League | Est. €30,000–50,000 |
| 2024–25 | NEC Nijmegen | Eredivisie | €58,481 (£1,125/week) |
| 2025–26 | NEC Nijmegen | Eredivisie | €70,000 (€1,346/week) |
| 2025–26 | VfL Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | Est. €750,000 (from Jan 2026) |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Yokohama F. Marinos | J1 League | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 2024–25 | NEC Nijmegen | Eredivisie | 26 | 4 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | NEC Nijmegen | Eredivisie | 12 | 7 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | NEC Nijmegen | KNVB Cup | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 2025–26 | VfL Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | 8 | 1 | 0 |
| Total (Senior) | 55 | 15 | 2 |
FAQs
What is Kento Shiogai’s net worth?
Kento Shiogai’s net worth is estimated at approximately $1 million. His wealth comes primarily from his professional contracts at NEC Nijmegen and VfL Wolfsburg, where he earns around €750,000 annually.
How much does Kento Shiogai earn at Wolfsburg?
He earns an estimated €750,000 per year at VfL Wolfsburg, equating to roughly €14,423 per week. This is a significant increase from his NEC Nijmegen salary of approximately €70,000 per year.
How much did Wolfsburg pay for Kento Shiogai?
Wolfsburg paid approximately €9–10 million to NEC Nijmegen to sign Shiogai in January 2026. The transfer was triggered using his release clause after he scored seven goals in twelve Eredivisie matches.
Where is Kento Shiogai from?
He was born in Tokyo, Japan, on March 26, 2005. He developed through Japan’s high school and university football system before making the move to Europe in 2024.
Has Kento Shiogai played for the Japan national team?
Yes. He has represented Japan at U18, U19, U23, and senior levels. He received his first senior Japan call-up in 2026 and has scored 10 goals across 19 youth international appearances.
