Eiji Kawashima

Eiji Kawashima (川島 永嗣, Kawashima Eiji, born 20 March 1983) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Strasbourg and the Japan national team.

He played in Japan for Omiya Ardija, Nagoya Grampus Eight and Kawasaki Frontale before joining Lierse S.K. in Belgium in 2010. He then played for another Belgian club, Standard Liège, from 2012 to 2015, and Dundee United in Scotland from 2015 to 2016. He played for Japan at the 2010, 2014 and 2018 World Cups, earning over 90 caps.

Early life Born in Yono, Saitama, Japan, Kawashima began playing football and started to playing in the goalkeeper after he idolised Sergio Goycochea and saw a video of his performance, which touched him and since played in the goalkeeper position. He then joined Yononishi Junior High School and Urawa Higashi High School.

Kawashima has an older brother and older sister.