Abe was born in Ichikawa on September 6, 1981. He joined J1 League club JEF United Ichihara (later "JEF United Chiba") from their youth team in 1998. He made his debut at the age of 16 years and 333 days on August 5, 1998, at the time a record for the youngest player and J1 League. The club won the champions in the 2005 and 2006 J.League Cup. In 2007, he moved to Urawa Reds. The club won the champions in the 2007 AFC Champions League. In August 2010, he moved to English EFL Championship club Leicester City. In January 2012, he returned to Urawa. The club won the champions in the 2017 AFC Champions League.