Hidemasa Morita (守田 英正, Morita Hidemasa; born 10 May 1995) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Premier League club Hull City and the Japan national team.
Contents
Club career
Kawasaki Frontale
In 2018, Morita joined Kawasaki Frontale. On 10 February, he made his professional debut as a substitute in the Japanese Super Cup against Cerezo Osaka. On 14 April, he made his first start in the league match against Vegalta Sendai. After that, he managed to secure an active role in the team, and they would go on to win the J1 League title in 2018. In 2020, he was selected in the J-League Best Eleven, along with eight other Kawasaki players, as they went on to win the J1 League title again.
Santa Clara
On 8 January 2021, it was announced that Morita would sign for Portuguese club Santa Clara in the Primeira Liga. When he made his debut on 25 January, he netted his first goal for the club, scoring the winner in the 89th minute of a 2–1 victory over Rio Ave.
Sporting CP
On 1 July 2022, it was announced that he would join Sporting CP on a permanent transfer. He would go on to make his debut for the club against Braga on 7 August. On 7 September, he made his Champions League debut against Eintracht Frankfurt. On 30 September, he scored his first goal for the club in a win against Gil Vicente.
Morita made his 150th appearance for the club on 4 March 2026, in a 1–0 home win against Porto in the first leg of the Portuguese Cup.
On 15 May 2026, Morita announced he would not be renewing his contract with Sporting CP for the 2026–27 season.
Hull City
On 24 July 2026, Morita joined Hull City on a two-year contract with the club holding an option for a further year.
International career
On 2 September 2018, Ryota Oshima and Hotaru Yamaguchi withdrew from the national team due to injury; Morita was called up to the Japan national team in their place for the first time in his first year as a professional. He made his national team debut on 11 September, coming on against Costa Rica, the first game under new coach Hajime Moriyasu.
In January 2019, he was called up to the Japan national team for the AFC Asian Cup 2019, but withdrew due to injury.
In March 2021, he was called up to the national team for the first time in just under two years; on 30 March, he scored his first goal for the national team in a 14–0 win against Mongolia in the 2022 FIFA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
On 1 November 2022, Morita was named in the Japan squad for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Career statistics
Club
As of match played 25 August 2026
International
As of match played 20 March 2025
As of match played 15 November 2024. Scores and results list Japan's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Morita goal.
Honours
Kawasaki Frontale
J1 League: 2018, 2020
Emperor's Cup: 2020
J.League Cup: 2019
Japanese Super Cup: 2019
Sporting CP
Primeira Liga: 2023–24, 2024–25
Taça de Portugal: 2024–25
Individual
J.League Best XI: 2020