Born inKawasaki, Kanagawa, Morimoto began his youth career with Tsudayama FC in 1995. He joinedTokyo Verdy's, then known as Yomiuri SC's youth set-ups on 1998. He was eventually promoted to Verdy's first-team in May 2004, when he was a first grader at high school.
On 13 March 2004, Morimoto made his J1 League debut forTokyo Verdy againstJúbilo Iwata at the age of 15 years, 10 months and 6 days, a former league record foryoungest player to debut (since passed byMaki Kitahara on 1 March 2025).[3] He scored his first goal againstJEF United Ichihara on 5 May of the same year, two days before his 16th birthday, another league record for youngest goal scorer.[4] He captured theJ.League Rookie of the Year Award for the 2004 season.[5] During the 2004 season, Morimoto was teammates with formerCerro Porteño playerNozomi Hiroyama.[citation needed] In the 2005 season at Tokyo Verdy, Morimoto was teammates withRiki Kitawaki, who would play in Paraguay before Morimoto would do the same several years later.[citation needed] On 23 July 2006, Tokyo Verdy announced a one-year loan deal sending Morimoto toCatania ofSerie A.[6]
Morimoto made his Serie A debut on 28 January 2007 during an away game againstAtalanta.[7] He entered the game in the 83rd minute and scored the equalizing goal, his first, just five minutes later.[8] On 13 March 2007, it was confirmed by Catania that Morimoto had ruptured theanterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his left knee and would be out for at least six months, ruling him out for the remainder of the2006–07 season. Despite the serious injury, Catania recognized his potential and completed a permanent transfer deal in June 2007.[citation needed]
On 14 December 2008, Morimoto signed a three-year contract extension with Catania until 30 June 2011.[9]
Morimoto had a breakthrough season for Catania during the2008–09 season, as he scored ten goals in 25 league andCoppa Italia games while also being credited with several assists. Brazilian andMilan starAlexandre Pato told Italian sports dailyCorriere dello Sport that he believed Morimoto was the best young player in Serie A and compared him toRonaldo.[10]
On 11 July 2011, Catania confirmed to have sold Morimoto to newly promoted Serie A clubNovara in a co-ownership bid.[11] Morimoto's season was hampered by injuries which limited the Japanese international to just 18 league appearances, producing four goals. At the end of the season, Novara was relegated toSerie B after placing 19th, and Morimoto officially returned to Catania on 21 June 2012.[citation needed]
On 7 January 2013, Morimoto was loaned toAl-Nasr Dubai, coached by former Catania managerWalter Zenga. The loan deal expired on 30 June 2013, and the player returned to Sicily.[citation needed]
On 24 December 2015, Morimoto signed forKawasaki Frontale on a two-year deal, with the contract starting on 1 February 2016.[13]
In October 2020, Morimoto signed for the GreekFootball League clubAEP Kozani for an undisclosed fee. Having not been able to play because of theleague being indefinitely suspended because of theCOVID-19 pandemic he asked for his release, making him a free agent.
In January 2021,Primera División Paraguaya team Sportivo Luqueño confirmed through their president that Morimito was going to arrive to Paraguay to sign for the club.[14] In February 2021, Morimoto signed with the club.[15] He was presented by the club through Twitter.[16] He joined formerParaguay national team playersEdgar Benitez,Guillermo Beltran andLuis Cabral.[17] On 17 April 2021, Morimoto debuted for Sportivo Luqueño againstNacional Asunción in a 1–0 away defeat, being substituted onto the field in the 81st for Guillermo Beltran.[citation needed] This was his only appearance for the club, as he was released soon after.[18]
On 23 August 2023,Serie D clubAkragas announced the signing of Morimoto.[19] However, the formal acquisition of the player was blocked by a number of bureaucratic issues related to his status as a non-EU citizen, which turned out to be insurmountable and led to the club announcing in January 2024 that the signing could not be completed at last.[20]
On 10 October 2009, Morimoto made his debut for thesenior national team againstScotland, coming on as a substitute forRyoichi Maeda in a 2–0 win.[22] On 14 October 2009, he made his first start and scored his first goal againstTogo in a 5–0 win.[22]
