Urawa Reds have named midfielder Yosuke Kashiwagi as captain for the 2018 season, replacing Yuki Abe who wore the armband from 2012 to 2017.

Kashiwagi, who has played at Saitama Stadium since the 2010 season, scored five goals in 27 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League matches and was the MVP of the 2017 AFC Champions League.

“I want to focus on my contributions and put all of my strength into leading the team,” Kashiwagi commented.

The club further announced that striker Shinzo Koroki and defender Wataru Endo were elected to serve as vice captains.