Kento Okuda was trapped inside the CTV building. Photo / Mark Mitchell
Kento Okuda's dream of playing professional soccer may have been crushed by the Christchurch earthquake - but the Japanese teenager has received wishes for a speedy recovery from one of the world's most popular clubs.
Rescuers had to amputate Mr Okuda's right leg to free him from the CTV building
rubble, ending the former Toyama Hokubu High School football team captain's dream of one day playing for Japan.
Herald reader Joanne Baxas was so moved by the story, she contacted English side Liverpool, a club she supports, but was not expecting a response.
She was surprised when Liverpool responded with a "get well soon" certificate and a team photograph, signed by stars including Steven Gerrard, Joe Cole, Jamie Carragher and manager Kenny Dalglish.
"Kento Okuda, wishing you a speedy recovery. Best wishes, Liverpool Football Club," the certificate said.
"It's really quite special," said Ms Baxas, a merchandise planner in Melbourne.
"The story of Kento Okuda touched my heart ... I took it upon myself to send a letter to Liverpool to see if they could do anything to lift his spirits, but [was] not really expecting a response."
Mr Okuda was studying English on the third floor of the CTV building when the earthquake struck.
About a dozen of his classmates were killed when the seven-storey building crumbled.
He returned to Tokyo on February 28.
A friend, who met Mr Okuda while he was in Christchurch Hospital, said the 19-year-old was not affected by the Japanese quake or tsunami and is "recovering well" in hospital.
"Kento is a huge soccer fan, and I am sure he will be overjoyed," said the friend.
Japanese consul-general Hachiro Ishida said his office would help to deliver the Liverpool certificate and signed team photo to Mr Okuda.
"I am sure he will be very touched and grateful to be receiving such a special gift," Mr Ishida said.
About 28 Japanese nationals are believed to have been killed in the magnitude 6.3 Christchurch quake, most of them nurses or language students studying at King's Education language school in the CTV building.
