Nakata was born in Kofu on January 22, 1977. After graduating from Nirasaki High School, he joined J1 League club Bellmare Hiratsuka in 1995. He moved to Italian Serie A club Perugia. In January 2000, he moved to Roma. The club won the champions in the 2000/01 Serie A season. In summer 2001, he moved to Parma. From 2004, he played for Bologna, Fiorentina and English Premier League club Bolton Wanderers. He retired end of the 2005/06 season.