Daniel Yuji Yabuki Schmidt (矢吹シュミット・ダニエル勇二, Yabuki Shumitto Danieru Yūji, born 3 February 1992) is a professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for the Belgian Pro League club Gent. Born in the United States, he represents the Japan national team.

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Daniel Schmidt

Schmidt with Vegalta Sendai in 2019
Personal information
Full name	Daniel Yuji Yabuki Schmidt
Date of birth	(1992-02-03) 3 February 1992 (age 32)
Place of birth	Illinois, United States
Height	1.97 m (6 ft 5+1⁄2 in)
Position(s)	Goalkeeper
Team information
Current team	Gent
Number	16
Youth career
2007–2009	Tohoku Gakuin High School
2010–2013	Chuo University FC
2010–2012	→ Kawasaki Frontale (loan)
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2014–2019	Vegalta Sendai	57	(0)
2014	→ Roasso Kumamoto (loan)	4	(0)
2015	→ Roasso Kumamoto (loan)	26	(0)
2016	→ Matsumoto Yamaga (loan)	41	(0)
2019–2023	Sint-Truiden	110	(0)
2024–	Gent	8	(0)
International career‡
2018–	Japan	14	(0)
Medal record Vegalta Sendai Runner-up Emperor's Cup 2018 Representing  Japan AFC Asian Cup 2019 United Arab Emirates
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 30 March 2024 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 12 September 2023

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Born in the United States to a German father and Japanese mother, Schmidt moved to Sendai, Japan at the age of two. He attended Chuo University.^[1][2]

Schmidt is known for his ability with long balls to forwards and his frequency of coming off his line in precise timing to deal with threats early. He is also credited as a good penalty saver.^{[citation needed]}

Schmidt played three consecutive seasons as a Designated Special Player for Kawasaki Frontale while at the Chuo University, before entering the professional ranks in 2013.^[3]

He later signed for Vegalta Sendai,^[4] but Schmidt played his first pro match during a one-month loan to Roasso Kumamoto in April 2014.^[5] After playing his first ever game with Vegalta in J. League Cup, he was again loaned to Roasso, this time until the end of 2015 season.^[6] A third loan was established in 2016, this time to Matsumoto Yamaga.^[7]

On 18 July 2019, Schmidt joined Belgian side Sint-Truiden on a permanent deal.^[8]

On 4 February 2023, he made his 100th appearance in the Belgian Pro League against Kortrijk.^{[citation needed]}

On 28 December 2023, Schmidt joined fellow Belgian club Gent on a permanent deal, signing a contract until June 2027.^[9][10]

On 30 August 2018, Schmidt received his first international callup from the Japan national team for the Kirin Challenge Cup 2018.^[11] He made his debut appearance in a friendly match against Venezuela on 16 November 2018 and played his first competitive match for Japan on 17 January 2019 in the 2–1 win against Uzbekistan during the 2019 AFC Asian Cup.^[12]

In September 2022, he saved the team from a desperate pinch by stopping the penalty against Ecuador and was selected as MOM of the media.^[13][14] It was also the number one trend on Twitter.^[15][16]

In November 2022, he was selected for the 2022 FIFA World Cup team for the first time.^[17]

On March 24, 2023, he participated in the full starting lineup in the first match of the second Moriyasu JAPAN against Uruguay. On September 12, in the match against Turkey, he showed stable saves even in defensive situations and contributed to the victory.^[18]

Vegalta Sendai

• Emperor's Cup runner-up: 2018

Japan

• AFC Asian Cup runner-up: 2019

Individual

• Japan Pro-Footballers Association Best XI: 2022