Who is Shūto Machino? | OneFootball

Shuto Machino: Who is Holstein Kiel’s striker from the city of ninjas?

Shūto Machino was a key member of Holstein Kiel's promotion-winning side last season and despite The Storks' current struggles in the Bundesliga, the forward has continued to impress, scoring seven goals in the campaign to date.

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Data correct as of 25 March 2025

Shūto Machino

Age: 25 (born 30 September 1999)Club: Holstein KielPosition: Striker Country: Japan (six caps / three goals)

Machino’s journey to the Bundesliga began in the city of Iga, Japan, also know as ‘the city of ninjas’. He is still well connected to his roots and currently holds the position of tourism ambassador for the city, a role he took up in 2022 and takes great pride in: “I did the ninja pose as a goal celebration to give something back to my hometown," the forward explained. "I was also entrusted with the important role of tourism ambassador, so I want to keep scoring goals and contribute to the development and promotion of Iga.”

It was Machino's father who encouraged his son's early passion for football, coaching the then youngster as part of the primary school football team alongside his older brother. Machino’s love for the game only grew, and his talent became evident at boyhood clubs Nakase SS and FC Avenida Sol.

“When I came home from school, I’d first do my homework with my grandma and then go straight back to school and play football," the striker once said. "I loved football that much. I never felt like training was a chore. I just loved playing football and was always playing with a ball.”

Watch: The best of Kiel's Shūto Machino

Shuto Machino was called up by Japan for the East Asian Championships in 2022, and played an important part en route to winning the trophy. (Koji Watanabe)

His professional footballing journey began in 2018, when he signed for Yokohama F. Marinos. He was on their books for two years without making a senior appearance, instead gaining experience on loan with third-tier side Giravanz Kitakyushu, where he eventually won the league title in 2019. 17 goals and 11 assists later, Machino was ready to make the jump back to the JLeague, joining Shonan Bellmare where his star continued to rise. In just shy of 100 games for the club he netted 28 times – form that caught the eye of the Japan national team.

He was selected for the East Asian Championships in 2022 and went on to lift the trophy for his country, before going onto represent them at the FIFA World Cup that same year. Machino eventually secured a move to Bundesliga hopefuls at the time, Kiel. He has since made 59 appearances in all competitions for them, helping The Storks gain promotion to the German top tier for the first time in their history at the end of the 2023/24 season.

Plays a bit like: Jonas Wind

Both Machino and Wind have a strong physical presence and a willingness to press from the front, allowing them to bring their teammates into the game. As well as having an eye for goal, they’re both eager to get involved with the build-up play and are more than comfortable dropping deeper when required.

Did you know?

Machino’s Bundesliga 2 debut for Kiel came against an Eintracht Braunschweig side that fielded Keita Endo – another graduate of the Yokohama F. Marinos academy.

What they’re saying

"This transfer is obviously a great story for KSV Holstein. But the most important thing is that with Shūto we have acquired a striker with strong dribbling and combination skills, who makes our offensive game very versatile." Former Holstein Kiel Sporting Director, Uwe Stöver.

"Shūto is a true goalscorer with a great finish, both with his right foot, his left foot, and with his head. He also has the right instinct to score in the box. Furthermore, his mentality is that of an absolute team player.“ Holstein Kiel boss, Marcel Rapp

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