Clubs: Kashima Antlers, FC Schalke 04

• An adventurous right-back, Uchida joined leading Japanese club Kashima Antlers from Shimizu Higashi High School in 2006.

• Took little time to become a first-team regular and went on to star in the Kashima side that won the J-League three seasons running from 2007-09; named in the division's all-star team in 2008 and 2009.

• Gained international recognition at an early age, playing in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup in Canada and the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

• Made his senior international debut on 26 January 2008 in the first match of Takeshi Okada's second spell in charge, against Chile, and made 11 appearances in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying – but none at the finals in South Africa, where he was an unused squad member.

• Signed a three-year contract with Schalke during the World Cup finals and quickly established himself as the club's regular right-back, starting five of six group games in the 2010/11 UEFA Champions League.