Mio Backhaus comes from a German-Japanese family with strong connections to both countries. The goalkeeper was born in Germany but spent much of his childhood in Japan alongside his parents and siblings. His family includes his footballer brother, Yuri Backhaus, and his sister, Lina Backhaus, who has also played youth international football.
Who Is Mio Backhaus?
Mio Backhaus is a German-Japanese professional goalkeeper born on April 16, 2004, in Mönchengladbach, Germany. He is also known in Japan as Mio Nagata. After developing at Kawasaki Frontale, Alemannia Aachen and Werder Bremen, he established himself as a Bundesliga goalkeeper.
Backhaus spent the 2023/24 season on loan at FC Volendam in the Netherlands before returning to Werder Bremen. In May 2026, it was announced that he would leave Werder and join SC Freiburg for the 2026/27 season.
Does Mio Backhaus Have a Girlfriend?
Mio Backhaus has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. The goalkeeper keeps his romantic life away from interviews and has not introduced a partner through his public social-media accounts.
It is therefore unclear whether Backhaus is single or privately dating someone. Any unverified claims about the identity of Mio Backhaus’s girlfriend should be treated cautiously unless he confirms the relationship himself.
Does Mio Backhaus Have Children?
There is no reliable public information indicating that Mio Backhaus has children. He has not announced the birth of a son or daughter and is not publicly known to be a father.
Who Are Mio Backhaus’s Parents?
Mio Backhaus was born to a German father and a Japanese mother. Their names have not been widely disclosed, allowing them to maintain private lives outside their son’s football career.
Backhaus’s mother is a musician. When he was approximately one year old, his parents moved from Germany to Japan. Reports indicate that his mother wanted to live and perform in her home country, while both parents also had a strong affection for Japan.
His parents remained in Japan after Mio and his siblings returned to Germany. Backhaus has spoken positively about his Japanese upbringing and the cultural influence he received from his mother. He grew up speaking German and Japanese, although he has acknowledged that his command of Japanese became less fluent after living in Germany.
Who Is Mio Backhaus’s Brother, Yuri Backhaus?
Yuri Backhaus is Mio Backhaus’s brother and is also a footballer. Unlike Mio, who became a goalkeeper, Yuri plays primarily as a defender. He spent part of his development in Japanese football and represented Japan at under-16 level.
Yuri later continued his career in Germany, including a spell with 1. FC Düren. The brothers’ different international youth experiences reflect the family’s close connections to Germany and Japan.
Who Is Mio Backhaus’s Sister, Lina Backhaus?
Mio Backhaus also has a younger sister named Lina Backhaus, who was born in Japan in 2006. Like her brothers, Lina displayed considerable footballing talent during her youth.
Lina represented Germany at under-16 and under-17 level. Her appearances for the German youth teams meant that all three Backhaus siblings became involved in competitive football, making sport an important part of the family’s identity.
Mio Backhaus’s Childhood in Japan
Although Backhaus was born in Mönchengladbach, he spent much of his childhood near Tokyo. He began playing football in Japan and joined the youth system of Kawasaki Frontale, initially playing as a left winger before becoming a goalkeeper.
During summer holidays, he regularly visited Germany. Backhaus eventually decided that he wanted to continue his life and football development there, so he moved in with his grandparents in Baesweiler, near Aachen.
Living with his grandparents allowed him to join Alemannia Aachen before moving to Werder Bremen’s academy in 2018. His parents remained in Japan, meaning Backhaus had to become independent while still relatively young.
Mio Backhaus’s German and Japanese Heritage
Mio Backhaus inherited German nationality through his father and Japanese heritage through his mother. In Japan, he is known by the name Nagata Mio, written as 長田 澪.
His dual background allowed him to represent both countries at youth level. Backhaus played once for Japan’s under-15 team before representing Germany through several youth categories, including the German under-21 national team.
Japanese culture remains important to him. He has spoken about enjoying Japanese food, particularly ramen and dishes prepared by his mother, even after building his professional football career in Europe.
How Mio Backhaus’s Family Influenced His Career
Backhaus’s family gave him an international upbringing that shaped both his identity and playing career. His parents supported his early development in Japan, while his grandparents provided a home when he returned to Germany.
The achievements of Yuri and Lina also demonstrate the family’s strong footballing background. Although Mio had to live far away from his parents, the support of his relatives helped him progress from youth football to the Bundesliga.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mio Backhaus’s Family
Is Mio Backhaus married?
No. Mio Backhaus has not publicly announced a marriage and is not known to have a wife.
Who is Mio Backhaus’s girlfriend?
Backhaus has not publicly identified a girlfriend. His current relationship status remains private.
Does Mio Backhaus have children?
There is no verified public information suggesting that Mio Backhaus has any children.
Where are Mio Backhaus’s parents from?
His father is German, while his mother is Japanese. The family moved to Japan when Mio was approximately one year old.
What does Mio Backhaus’s mother do?
His mother has been described as a musician. Her work and connection to her home country reportedly contributed to the family’s decision to move to Japan.
Does Mio Backhaus have a brother?
Yes. His brother, Yuri Backhaus, is a defender who represented Japan at under-16 level and later played club football in Germany.
Does Mio Backhaus have a sister?
Yes. His younger sister, Lina Backhaus, was born in Japan in 2006 and represented Germany at under-16 and under-17 level.
Why is Mio Backhaus also called Mio Nagata?
Mio Nagata is the name by which he is known in Japan. It reflects his Japanese maternal heritage and upbringing.
Where did Mio Backhaus grow up?
Backhaus was born in Germany but spent much of his childhood near Tokyo, Japan. He later returned to Germany and lived with his grandparents near Aachen.
Laurinda Jocias is a football writer covering English women’s football, including the Women’s Super League. Her work focuses on players, clubs, and the continued development of the women’s game in the UK.
