Yokohama F. Marinos on Thursday announced that the Japan Football Assertion has approved collegiate defender Ryo Takano as a Specially Designated Player.

The Nippon Sport Science University student was a Specially Designated Player for Shonan Bellmare in 2015, appearing in one Yamazaki Nabisco Cup match.

“It’s an honour to be a Specially Designated Player for the club I belonged to for nine years,” said Takano, who played for F. Marinos’ academy and junior youth teams. 

“I want to continue to focus on improving myself every day.”