Arata Izumi

Born on 31st July 1982, Arata Izumi is a retired football player of India. He used to play a midfielder. Currently, he is a coach at Reliance Foundation Young Champs. His professional career started in Singapore. It was with Albirex Niigata Singapore. After that in 2006 he moved to India. After spending six seasons in Pune and three years with East Bengal and Mahindra United, he went to play for Atlético de Kolkata, Pune City, and NEROCA. With Kerala Blasters he ended his career. Born to a Gujarati father and japenes mother, narendra Khambholja and Akiko Izumi, he has an Indian name - Neelkanth Narendra Khambholja. He came to India after his parents separation. He married an India girl Shweta Manerikar. Pune FC officially announced on 24th august 2012, that Izumi has received Indian citizenship from Government of India.

He gave up his Japanese passport and represented India at international levels. Izumi started career in 2005 with Albirex Niigata Singapore. He got recognition for his speed when he was in S.League. On 18th September 2005, he scored his first goal against Tampines Rovers. He then moved to Japan. There he signed with Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima. He also worked there as a person of paints cars. He used to work 10 hours a day and spend 2 hours practicing football. After that he signed for East Bengal in November 2006. He signed for Mahindra united in 2007. In 2007-08 I-League campaign he didn't play for six months because of an injury. In 2009, he signed for Pune. This was the turning point in his career.

He became the top goal scorer. After that Izumi signed for Atletico Kolkata in 2015. He started playing with Kerala Blasters in 2017. On 18th July 2018 he announced his retirement from football. Izumi plays as a midfielder and False 9. He plays as a striker or a playmaker and can also play as winger. He made his international debut for Lenny Rodrigues. After retirement, he started to coach youth at Reliance Foundation Young Champs in the youth division of Indian Super League. He has played with the club like Albirex Niigata Singapore in S. League, Mitshubishi Mizushima in Japan, East Bengal in National Football league, Mahindra United in I-League, Pune in I-League, Atletico de Kolkata in Indian Super League, Mumbai in I-League, Pune City in Indian Super League, and Kerala blasters in Indian Super League.