Background and career
Shinji Ono (小野 伸二, Ono Shinji; born 27 September 1979) is a Japanese former professional footballer who played as a midfielder.
He started his senior career with J1 League side Urawa Reds before moving Dutch side Feyenoord in 2001 where he won the UEFA Cup in 2002. He returned to Urawa Reds in 2006 where he won the 2006 J League title in his first season back at the club and the 2007 AFC Champions League in his second season. He moved to Bundesliga side Bochum in January 2008 but made limited appearances due to injuries. He signed for Shimizu S-Pulse in January 2010. He subsequently played for Western Sydney Wanderers, Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo and Ryukyu before retiring in 2023.
He earned 56 caps for the Japan national team. He was part of the squads for the 1998, 2002 and 2006 World Cups.
