Seiichiro Maki born 7 August 1980 in Uki, Kumamoto, Japan is a Japanese professional football player. He is a forward and currently plays for Roasso Kumamoto, and has been a member of the Japanese national football team since 2005.
Maki, a Kumamoto native, began his professional career with J2 side JEF United Chiba in 2003. He had stints overseas in Russia and China before returning to Japan with Tokyo Verdy in 2011 and has been with his hometown club Roasso since 2014.
Despite being in negotiations to renew his contract, the club said Maki's intention to retire was firm."
"I feel blessed to be able to play my last match in Kumamoto where I was born and raised," Maki said. "From here on, I'd like to do what I can to help the soccer world grow." His J. League third-division club Roasso Kumamoto announced Tuesday.
Maki was a key player for Komazawa University in Tokyo along with current Nagoya Grampus player Masaki Fukai. Maki represented Japan in the 2001 summer Universiade in Beijing, contributing to their championship win by scoring 3 goals in the tournament.
He was a member of the Japan team for the 2007 AFC Asian Cup finals and played 4 games. He scored 2 goals in the tournament, both against Vietnam.
The 38-year-old attracted headlines in 2006 for being Japan head coach Zico's surprise pick for that year's World Cup in Germany. He scored eight goals over 38 senior international matches for the Samurai Blue.
Maki plans to hold a press conference in Kumamoto on Wednesday and announced his retirement in the conference