Vissel Kobe Under-18 defenders So Fujitani and Junya Higashi will join the first team squad in 2016, the club announced on Thursday.

Fujitani, who has represented Japan at the U-17, U-18, and U-19 levels, has already made three substitute league appearances this season as a Type II player.

“I want to thank my parents, managers, coaches, and staff for all of their support,” Fujitani commented.

“I look forward to playing to my best abilities in my first year to return the favour to everyone who has helped me thus far,” Higashi added.

Nelsinho’s Vissel, who are overall 15th in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League, recently advanced to the fourth round of the Emperor’s Cup with a 1-0 win over JEF United Chiba.