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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…

Players from Kashima Antlers and Urawa Reds spoke to the media on Friday in a press conference promoting the upcoming FUJI XEROX SUPER CUP 2017. February 18’s encounter at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama will featured J.League champions Antlers against last seasons’ runners-up Reds. “Urawa Reds finished first in the regular season standin…

Kawasaki Frontale on Friday announced the signing of striker Rhayner Santos Nascimento on a season-long loan from Brazil’s Ponte Preta. The Serra native has played for Figueirense and Fluminense among other clubs. “I’m grateful for the chance to play in Japan. When I spoke to (former Frontale midfielder) Renato, he told me that Front…

The J.League has announced its scheduled home openers for the upcoming 2017 MEIJI YASUDA J1, J2, and J3 League seasons. The J1 League kicks off on February 25, with the J2 following one day later on February 26.  The J3 League, which expands to 17 clubs following the addition of Azul Claro Numazu, launches on March 11. The full schedule, inclu…

Kashima Antlers on Thursday announced the signing of Weverson Leandro Oliveira Moura (Leandro) on a season-long rental. The 23-year-old midfielder, who belongs to Palmeiras but has spent much of the last two years on loan at Coritiba and Santos, has featured for Brazil at Under-20 and U-22 levels. He then made his senior international debut in a 2013 …

The J.League on Wednesday revealed details for this year’s J.League DAZN New Year Cup. It is set to be a pre-season tournament set to take place between January 22 and February 11 across three prefectures. Featuring 11 J1, J2, and J3 League clubs divided in three groups, all matches of the round-robin competition will be streamed live on DAZN (d…

Yokohama FC on Wednesday announced the re-signing of veteran striker Kazuyoshi Miura. The Japanese legend, who turns 50 years old on February 26, scored twice in 20 appearances for Yokohama last season and holds the record as the J.League’s oldest goal-scorer. “We were able to renew my contract without trouble,” King Kazu commented. …

Cerezo Osaka earlier this week announced their signing of midfielder Kota Mizunuma on a season-long loan from FC Tokyo. The 26-year-old joined Tokyo in 2016 after four seasons with Sagan Tosu, scoring one goal in 19 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances.  Mizunuma will be reunited with newly-appointed Cerezo manager Yoon Jong-hwan, who managed Sagan…

The J.League has confirmed details regarding the 2017 J.LEAGUE Asia Challenge in Thailand, Interleague Cup, which will be held from January 24 to January 26 in Bangkok. All matches of the friendly competition will be broadcast live in Thailand. A press conference promoting tournament will be held next week in Bangkok as per the details below. - Tourna…

Omiya Ardija on Tuesday announced the full signing of striker Genki Omae from Shimizu S-Pulse. The 27-year-old captain led the IAI Stadium Nihondaira residents back to the top flight with 18 goals in last season’s MEIJI YASUDA J2 League. “(After watching) Ardija finish in the top five and advance to the Emperor’s Cup semi-final last …

Consadole Sapporo on Tuesday announced the signing of Yokohama F. Marinos midfielder Shingo Hyodo on a full transfer as well as the arrival of Omiya Ardija midfielder Tomonobu Yokoyama on a one-year loan. Hyodo has played for F.Marinos since the 2008 season, making 18 appearances in the 2016 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League. “I want to thank Consadole Sap…