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Kōji Nakata began his professional football career with Kashima Antlers, a Japanese club based in Kashima, Ibaraki. Nakata joined the club's youth academy in 1990 and made his senior debut in 1995. He quickly established himself as a key player for the Antlers, helping them win the J1 League title in 1996 and 1998. Nakata's performances for Kashima Antlers earned him a move to Italian club Perugia in 1998.