Kaito Taniguchi
Kaito Taniguchi is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a forward for A-League Men club Central Coast Mariners.
Career
Taniguchi attended Gifu Keizai University, where he served as a captain and was transformed from a centre-back to a forward. He then joined Grulla Morioka for 2018 season. Taniguchi was sidelined with injury during the early season. He made his league debut against Fujieda MYFC on 20 May 2018. Taniguchi scored his first league goal against Giravanz Kitakyushu on 10 June 2018.On 23 December 2019, Taniguchi was announced at Roasso Kumamoto. He scored on his league debut on 27 June 2020 against Kagoshima United, scoring in the 15th and 64th minute. During his time at the club, he scored 18 goals in 34 games, becoming the J3 top scorer in the 2020 season.
On 30 December 2020, Taniguchi was announced at Albirex Niigata. He made his league debut against Giravanz Kitakyushu on 27 February 2021. Taniguchi scored his first league goal against Ehime on 24 April 2021, scoring in the 12th minute. On 14 December 2021, it was announced that the club had extended his contract for the 2022 season. On 10 December 2022, Taniguchi's contract was extended for the 2023 season. On 31 December 2023, his contract was extended for the 2024 season.
On 16 April 2024, Taniguchi won the 2024 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Monthly Best Goal award for February and March.