is a Japanese former professional footballer. Uchida started his career with Kashima Antlers, making his debut in 2006 at the age of 17. After four years and three J1 League Titles, Uchida moved to Germany with Schalke 04 in 2010 for €1.3 million. With Schalke, Uchida won the 2010–11 DFB-Pokal, and was named in the Bundesliga team of the season twice between 2012 and 2014. He later played in the 2. Bundesliga with Union Berlin before returning to Japan with his first club Kashima Antlers, where he retired in 2020 at the age of 32. Uchida made his first appearance for the Japan national team in January 2008, and went on to make 74 appearances for his country, representing them in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup and the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as well as scoring two goals. Club career Kashima Antlers Born in Kannami, Shizuoka, Japan, Uchida was educated at and played for Shimizu Higashi High School. During his time there, he played mainly in the wing position, partly because of his speed. The school's director Kazuo Umeda switched Uchida's position to the right–back position, in which he plays today. In 2006, Uchida moved to Kashima Antlers with a high school diploma. On 5 March 2006, Uchida began his professional career when he debuted for Kashima at the age of 17 in the season-opener against Sanfrecce Hiroshima, since which he has remained a fixture in the starting eleven. His first goal as a professional footballer came on 21 March 2006 when he scored against Ventforet Kofu. Since making his debut, Uchida quickly became a first team regular for the side, playing in the right–back position. At the end of the 2006 season, he went on to make forty–one appearances and scoring two times in all competitions. For his performance, Uchida was selected by popular vote to play in the 2006 J. League All-Star Soccer game. In the 2007 season, Uchida continued to regain his first team place for the side, playing in the right–back position. He later helped the club win the league for the first time since after beating Shimizu S-Pulse 3–0 in the last game of the season to regain the club's nine consecutive wins. In the final of the Emperor Cup, Uchida scored the opener in a 2–0 win over Sanfrecce Hiroshima to win the cup; resulting Kashima Antlers winning a