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Brazil’s Figueirense were named champions of the 2016 J.League International Youth Cup after a penalty shootout win over South Korea’s Busan IPark on Saturday, December 25. Following a 1-1 draw in regulation time, the two teams traded dramatic attempts until Figueirense pulled ahead to win the contest 8-7. In the third place match, FC Toky…

FC Tokyo on Saturday announced the retirement of goalkeeper Tatsuya Enomoto, who will join the club’s coaching staff. The 37-year-old, who joined Yokohama Marines in 1997 from Urawa Gakuin High School, took part in two J.League championships and played for Visual Kobe, Tokushima Vortis and Tochigi SC before arriving at Tokyo. “I want to th…

Kawasaki Frontale are into the semi-finals of the Emperor’s Cup after seeing off FC Tokyo 2-1 in Saturday’s quarter-final. Yoshito Okubo fired in the opener in the 20th minute before Elsinho doubled the lead eight minutes later, rendering Sota Hirayama’s late goal little more than a consolation. In the other clash at Kashima Stadium,…

Yokohama F.Marinos are into the semi-finals of the Emperor’s Cup after seeing off holders Gamba Osaka 2-1 thanks to Jun Amano’s 96th-minute goal in Saturday’s quarter-final. Manabu Saito put the hosts ahead just after the hour mark but Yasuyuki Konno equalised before in the 87th minute. But Amano struck with his last-gasp winner to s…

Thespa Kusatsu Gunma on Thursday announced Hitoshi Morishita as the club’s new manager for the 2017 season. The 44-year-old, who began his managerial career in 2012 at Jubilo Iwata, also led Sagan Tosu in 2015. “I’m grateful for the chance to continue the sport I love at Thespa Kusatsu Gunma,” Morishita commented.  &ldq…

Sanfrecce Hiroshima defender Kazuhiko Chiba’s provisional suspension by the Japan Anti-Doping Agency (JADA) has been lifted as of December 20, the club announced on Wednesday. The decision will allow the player to participate in training, officially sanctioned matches, and other team activities. Chiba’s suspension began on October 21 follo…

Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo have signed a provisional agreement to sign Muangthong United midfielder Chanathip Songkrasin next summer, the club has announced. The 23-year-old is an established star for Thailand’s national team and was recently named the MVP of the AFF Suzuki Cup 2016, the second tournament in a row he has received that honour. Ch…

●Team Registration: In general, one club may register as many as five foreigners without restriction. ●Match Squad Registration: One team may feature up to three foreigners, as well as one player from an Asian Football Confederation (AFC) member nation, in their matchday squad. However, there are no restrictions on the number of players from J.League Pa…

Consadole Sapporo on Monday announced the full signings of midfielder Kim Min-te and forward Hidetaka Kanazono from Vegalta Sendai. Kim, who represented South Korea at the 2016 Rio Olympics, made three appearances last season in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League, while Kanazono played in seven matches. “In Sapporo I hope to use my abilities to help con…

Cerezo Osaka midfielder Kai Hirano has joined Thailand’s Army United on a full transfer after having spent the last two seasons there on loan. The 29-year-old, who joined Cerezo from Buriram United midway through the 2014 season, will now return to South-East Asia. “I will never forget the matches I played for Cerezo Osaka even if it was o…

Jubilo Iwata on Monday announced the signing of Fozil Musaev from FC Nasaf, with the midfielder thrilled to be the J.League’s first Uzbek player. The 27-year-old has represented Uzbekistan at the senior level, most recently participating in qualifying for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. “It’s a terrific feeling to become the J.League’…

Urawa Reds on Tuesday announced the signing of defender Yu Tamura on a year-long loan from Avispa Fukuoka. The 24-year-old, who joined Avispa in 2015 after graduating from Fukuoka University, made 16 appearances in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League season. “It’s an honor to play at such a historic club,” Tamura commented. “Bef…

Avispa Fukuoka on Tuesday announced the arrival of striker Riki Matsuda on a full transfer from Nagoya Grampus. The 25-year-old, who joined Grampus in 2014, scored one goal in 14 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances this season. “I’m excited to join such a great club and want to do my best to help Fukuoka return to the J1 in one season,&rdqu…

JEF United Chiba on Monday announced the release of veteran midfielder Seitaro Tomisawa. The 34-year-old, who joined the club midway through the 2015 season, scored three goals in 21 appearances in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League campaign. “While I’m not happy with our results, it’s been an honor to wear the JEF United uniform. While…

Yokohama FC on Monday announced the signing of midfielder Jeong Chung-geun. The 21-year-old, who represented South Korea at the Under-15 level, has spent the last three years with the reserve squad of France’s Nantes. “I will be entering my fifth year as a professional and won’t be able to hide (behind my age) if I don’t meet e…

The 2016 J.League Awards took place on Tuesday at Yokohama Arena, with players, coaches and officials recognized for their accomplishments this season in front of thousands of attending fans. In the climax of the evening, Kawasaki Frontale captain Kengo Nakamura was named Most Valuable Player, becoming the oldest player to receive the award. Additiona…

A selection of the J.League’s top Under-16 players will train in the United States later this month, marking the league’s seventh overseas camp for that age group. The team, managed by Sanfrecce Hiroshima Junior Youth coach Tomokazu Iwanari, will participate in the Disney Boys Soccer Showcase presented by AS Roma, a tournament known for attra…

V-Varen Nagasaki on Monday announced the signing of midfielder Shuto Kono on a full transfer from FC Tokyo. The 23-year-old, who played for Nagasaki in 2013, spent the latter portion of this season on loan at Renofa Yamaguchi, where he made eight MEIJI YASUDA J2 League appearances. His loan spells have also included stays at Oita Trinita, Machida Zelv…

FC Tokyo on Monday announced the signing of striker Kensuke Nagai on a full transfer from Nagoya Grampus. The 27-year-old, who has featured for Japan’s national team, scored seven goals in 31 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances this season. “I’m devoted to helping give the club as well as our fans and supporters their first J1 League …

Urawa Reds on Monday announced that midfielder Shinya Yajima will return to the club following the conclusion of his loan to Fagiano Okayama. The 22-year-old has spent the last two seasons with the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League outfit, scoring five goals in 35 appearances this season to help propel the side to the J1 Promotion Playoff Final.  He was add…