Kyoto Sanga goalkeeper Takanori Sugeno wants promotion and then a title charge from his new club, after arriving from Kashiwa Reysol on a full transfer. The 31-year-old spent eight seasons between the posts in Kashiwa, helping his old club win the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League, Emperor’s Cup and Yamasaki Nabisco Cup during his stint there. And Sugeno h…

Kashima Antlers on Tuesday announced the arrival of goalkeeper Masatoshi Kushibiki on a one-year loan from Shimizu S-Pulse. The 22-year-old, who made 10 appearances in the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League during S-Pulse’s ill-fated campaign, was recently selected for Japan’s AFC Under-23 Championship squad. “It’s an honour to play a…

New Shonan Bellmare midfielder Paulinho is ambitiously after AFC Champions League qualification after arriving on a one-year loan from JEF United Chiba. The 26-year-old has previously played for Kawasaki Frontale as well as Tochigi SC, first setting foot on Japanese soil with the latter in 2010. Paulinho scored twice in 36 second tier appearances last…

Urawa Reds have agreed to terms with Slovenian defender Branko Ilic, the club announced on Wednesday. The 32-year-old, who has 64 caps for his country’s national team, most recently played for 2015-16 UEFA Champions League participants Astana. Mihailo Petrovic is eager to strengthen the Reds’ backline after witnessing more collapses this t…

Cristiano has vowed to return to Kashiwa Reysol one day, after the club concluded the forward’s loan from Ventforet Kofu on Tuesday. The Brazilian was explosive at Kashiwa Stadium this season, scoring 14 goals in 34 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League matches. Cristiano was pivotal as well in the side’s cup clashes, with his hat-trick in the Emperor&rs…

Japanese champions Sanfrecce Hiroshima have announced the transfer of striker Takumi Miyayoshi from Kyoto Sanga. The 23-year-old scored four goals from 33 appearances in Sanga’s 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League campaign. Miyayoshi also added to his overall tally with two goals in two Emperor’s Cup fixtures as well, and will now add options to a…

Nagoya Grampus on Wednesday unveiled former Gamba Osaka midfielder Tomokazu Myojin as a new signing. The 37-year-old has spent the last decade at Gamba where he contributed to a number of domestic and continental titles, including the historic domestic Treble of 2014.  “I’m very happy to be playing for Nagoya Grampus and feel a deep s…

JEF United Chiba on Saturday announced the signing of Elton Rodrigues Brandao from EC Vitoria, with the Brazilian out to secure promotion with his new side. The 30-year-old striker has spent the majority of his career plying his trade in Brazil while also playing a stint at UAE club Al Nasr. “I’m thankful to have received this offer from J…

Sagan Tosu on Monday announced the signing of Cerezo Osaka midfielder Jumpei Kusukami. The 28-year-old, who began his career with Kawasaki Frontale, scored three goals in 22 appearances for MEIJI YASUDA J2 League side Cerezo in the 2015 campaign. “I’m excited to play in the great atmosphere of Best Amenity Stadium,” Kusukami said.&nb…

Tokushima Vortis winger Tomoyasu Hirose on Monday announced his retirement as a player. The 26-year-old Saitama native made his J.League debut in 2008 for Montedio Yamagata, spending six seasons there before joining Vortis in 2014. “I’m blessed to have spent these eight years on the pitch,” Hirose commented.  “I’m…

Kota Mizunuma is targeting success on all fronts with FC Tokyo, after the capital club confirmed his arrival from Sagan Tosu on Monday. The 25-year-old - who has represented Japan at the Under-17 through Under-23 level - was Sagan’s second league top scorer in 2015, with seven goals from 32 appearances. “I’m excited to play for a clu…

Kawasaki Frontale have announced the signings of Consadole Sapporo defender Tatsuki Nara and Kashiwa Reysol midfielder Kenta Kano. 22-year-old Nara spent the 2015 season on loan at FC Tokyo, making appearances in the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup and Emperor’s Cup.  Kano, 29, made three appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League for Reysol meanwhile.…

FC Tokyo on Monday announced the full signing of striker Takuma Abe from Ventforet Kofu. The 28-year-old, who began his professional career with Tokyo Verdy in 2010, boasts overseas experience in the form of a one-year stay with 2.Bundesliga side VfR Aalen. “I want to contribute to a title-winning campaign for FC Tokyo and thank you for your sup…

Yoichiro Kakitani revealed his desire to help Cerezo Osaka become a big club was the reason behind his return on a full transfer from FC Basel on Monday. Kakitani began his career with Cerezo in 2006 and blossomed into a talented attacker while on loan at Tokushima Vortis. The 26-year-old subsequently joined Basel after representing Japan at the 2014 …

Omiya Ardija on Saturday confirmed the arrival of striker Nejc Pecnik from JEF United Chiba. The Slovenia international, who participated in the 2010 FIFA World Cup, recorded 14 goals in 39 appearances during the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League season. Pecnik will now team up with second-tier champions Omiya in their return to the top-flight next season, …

Albirex Niigata on Wednesday announced that winger Noriyoshi Sakai will return to the club following the conclusion of his loan spell at Avispa Fukuoka. The 23-year-old scored seven goals in 39 appearances for Avispa in their MEIJI YASUDA J2 League campaign, in which they earned promotion. “I’ll be returning to Albirex Niigata next season,…

J.League chairman Mitsuru Murai has congratulated the league for the growth it experienced in 2015, and hopes for even more of the same this year. The official touched on wide-ranging topics in his New Year’s address, congratulating Sanfrecce Hiroshima for their league title win as well as their third-placed finish at the FIFA Club World Cup in Yok…

Gamba Osaka on Saturday announced the release of Brazilian striker Lins. The 28-year-old spent two seasons at Banpaku Stadium, netting three times and assisting twice as an impact substitute in his side’s climb to the AFC Champions League semi-finals. However, Lins was unable to make in the 2015 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League season, scoring just once i…

Nagoya Grampus on Thursday announced the signing of Vissel Kobe’s Michihiro Yasuda, with the defender looking forward to winning silverware. The former Vitesse man and Samurai Blue player made 12 league appearances for Nelsinho’s side in 2015. “I’m incredibly happy to be joining a big club like Nagoya Grampus with such history,…

Kashiwa Reysol on Wednesday announced the return of Vegalta Sendai defender Jiro Kamata to the club. The 30-year-old, who played for Reysol in 2006 as well as in 2008 and 2009, boasts over 200 appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League. “It will have been seven years since I last played for Reysol, but I look forward to a fresh start and the oppo…