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The J.League DAZN New Year Cup opened on Sunday in Okinawa with FC Ryukyu defeating JEF United Chiba by a 3-1 final score. The hosts seized the initiative from the opening whistle, finally taking the lead in the 28th minute when Yuta Togashi turned in Yutaro Chinen’s pass for the 1-0 lead.  Shortly before the break, Ryuji Saito converted th…

Sagan Tosu on Saturday announced their full signing of striker Yuji Ono. The 24-year-old left Yokohama F. Marinos for Belgium’s Standard Liege in 2012, playing three seasons there before joining Sint-Truiden in 2015.  “I’m happy to become a member of Sagan Tosu,” Ono said.  “I’ll play my best to help us…

Gainare Tottori launched their official Instagram account on Saturday. The social media portal will allow fans to get a glimpse into the team’s training sessions. The closer access to the team is expected to benefit aspects such as match day atmosphere, with goal celebrations amongst the content uploaded. Gainare’s account can be access…

Azul Claro Numazu have announced the signing of veteran midfielder Teruyoshi Ito, who is delighted to return home. The 42-year-old Shizuoka native, who earned 27 caps for Japan between 1997 and 2001, spent 13 seasons at Shimizu S-Pulse. Ito then moved on to Ventforet Kofu, AC Nagano Parceiro and Blaublitz Akita before joining MEIJI YASUDA J3 League ne…

Gamba Osaka on Friday announced that they will not renew their contract with striker Naoki Ogawa. The 21-year-old made his debut for the club in the 2014 J.League Cup and spent the 2015 season on loan at Fujieda MYFC.  Ogawa did not make any first team appearances in 2016, although he scored three goals in 24 appearances for Gamba Osaka’s U…

Tochigi SC on Friday announced the signing of former Switzerland international goalkeeper Johnny Leoni on a full transfer from AC Nagano Parceiro. The 32-year-old, who made 15 appearances in last year’s MEIJI YASUDA J3 League, earned his senior debut for Switzerland in 2011 and was previously on the country’s squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup…

FC Tokyo on Thursday announced that midfielder Ha Dae-sung has joined South Korea’s FC Seoul on a full transfer. The 31-year-old joined the capital club last season, making just three MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances before he was loaned in June to Nagoya Grampus, where he would score one goal from nine matches. “I’ll be returning …

Mito Hollyhock on Thursday announced the signing of defender Kwon Young-jin. The 25-year-old spent last season with Gangneung City in the Korea National League, the country’s third division.  “I’m incredibly thankful for the opportunity to take on this new challenge in Japan,” Kwon, who represented South Korea at the Under…

Mito Hollyhock have announced the arrival of defender Paulao on a season-long loan from Consadole Sapporo. The 27-year-old, who spent the 2016 season on loan at Fukushima United, made 18 appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J3 League. “I’m happy to receive an opportunity to play in the J2 League,” Paulao commented. “We are all re…

Gamba Osaka have announced ticketing information for their upcoming 2017 AFC Champions League playoff. The 2008 tournament winners will face either Thailand’s Bangkok United or Malaysia’s Johor Darul Ta’zim in their qualifier on February 7 at Suita Stadium. Fan club members may purchase tickets at a 20 percent discount during an adva…

Representatives from the J.League, Football Association of Thailand (FAT) and participating Thai clubs met in Bangkok on Tuesday to promote the upcoming J.League Asia Challenge 2017 Thailand Interleague Cup. Representatives from over 40 media companies attended the press conference ahead of the four-team tournament, which will feature local clubs Bangkok…

Avispa Fukuoka on Tuesday announced the full signing of young striker Willian Popp from South Korea’s Busan IPark. The 22-year-old scored 18 goals in the 2016 K-League Classic campaign and was named to the league’s Best XI for the season. “It’s a joy to be able to play for Avispa Fukuoka,” Willian commented.  &ldq…

Vissel Kobe on Monday announced the arrival of midfielder Wescley Gomes Dos Santos on a full transfer from Brazil’s Atletico Mineiro. The 25-year-old has played for a number of local clubs, including Ceara, Santa Cruz and Chapecoense. “I’ve dreamed of playing in Japan and I’m thankful to everyone at Vissel Kobe for this opportu…

The J.League is saddened to announce the passing of former director Kozo Kinomoto on January 15 of heart failure at the age of 68. Following his playing career at Furukawa Electric (now JEF United Chiba), Kinomoto took an active role in the administration of the Japan Soccer League (JSL) and would go on to be one of the key figures in the launch of the J…

AC Nagano Parceiro on Monday announced the retirement of striker Yusuke Kondo. The 32-year-old turned pro in 2003, joining FC Tokyo after graduating high school.  Kondo went on to play for a number of clubs in all three J.League divisions including Vissel Kobe, Consadole Sapporo, and Tochigi SC. “I’d like to thank everyone who has …

Yokohama F. Marinos on Sunday announced the renewal of the club’s contract with centre-back Yuji Nakazawa. The former Samurai Blue star scored three goals from a perfect 34 appearances in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League for the club, where he has played since 2002. Nakazawa, who turns 39 next month, was the J.League MVP in 2004 and has been name…

Kawasaki Frontale on Sunday announced the loan of midfielder Masataka Kani to JFL side FC Imabari for the 2017 season. The 25-year-old spent last season on loan at Zweigen Kanazawa, where he made 13 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League appearances. “I’m grateful for the support of the fans at Frontale while I was on loan at Zweigen Kanazawa,” Kani…

Fagiano Okayama have signed South Korean defender Jang Suk-won on a full transfer, the club announced late last week. The 27-year-old has 58 K-League appearances and participated in the 2015 AFC Champions League. In addition, Jang has represented his country at the Under-20 and U-23 levels. “I want to become responsible for our defending and …

Jubilo Iwata on Saturday announced that veteran defender Kazumichi Takagi has joined Thailand’s Air Force Central on a full transfer. The 36-year-old has played for several J.League teams since joining Shimizu S-Pulse in 2000, including Vissel Kobe, Gamba Osaka and Oita Trinita. Takagi appeared for Jubilo in last year’s J.League Yamazaki N…

Yokohama F. Marinos have announced the return of striker Teruhito Nakagawa after his three-month loan to Machida Zelvia. The 24-year-old scored three goals in 12 appearances for the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League side. “I was able to earn playing time at Machida Zelvia,” Nakagawa said. “I want to work hard in order to show Yokohama F. Mar…