Players departing

Transferred to another team

Sung-Ryong JUNG

Transferred to Fukushima. Maybe it was the right time given that the club seemingly thought that Yamaguchi was a better option. Was a great servant to the club and will be greatly missed. I’ll try to get to a Fukushima United game this year to cheer him on.

TANABE Shuto

I think Tanabe did a pretty good job when he was called on. I guess the problem for him is that those situations weren’t particularly regular occurrences. Transferred to Tokyo Verdy where hopefully he can pick up a lot more pitch time. Good luck to him!

YAMAUCHI Hinata

Spent half of last season on loan at Vegalta Sendai after getting involved early on in the season but never quite fulfilling his potential. Perhaps dropped down the pecking order slightly and that is why he has decided to move to Kashiwa Reysol. I know he was wanted by Urawa earlier in his career. Perhaps this was when Rodriguez was in charge, and therefore his move to Kashiwa would make sense. Definitely a feeling that we might live to regret this transfer, but at the same time, you can’t really blame either club or player for wanting it to happen. Good luck to him.

Out on loan

PATRICK VERHON

After spending half of last season on loan at Imabari, he has now moved to Oita Trinita on loan. It didn’t quite happen for him with us after a bright start and then maybe he didn’t quite take off in the way I might have expected when he went out on loan. Pretty much the same story as with Yamauchi! I’m sure there’s a great player in there so he just needs to get some regular minutes and then he’ll hopefully be off and running.

TSUCHIYA Kaito

Following the usual route of our youth team promoted players by spending a season in the first team not doing much and then going out on loan. I think he’s too good for J3, but that should hopefully mean that he can play plenty of games and pick up some experience at Fukushima this year. I’m sure he’ll be back with us sooner or later. (By the way, I don’t know if I mentioned the curse of my shirt choice before. Basically whoever’s shirt I buy leaves shortly afterwards. I was fully aware this was going to always happen so last year got Tsuchiya’s shirt with the hope that his departure would be for experience on loan and this is exactly how it turned out. With these great powers I have, I will forever have to choose my next shirt carefully).

Not offered a new contract

JESIEL

Perhaps his injury record was the reason he was let go. It’s a shame, as like Ando he was a lot more involved in 2025 than in some previous years. I think he can still do it and hope he finds a new club soon. I believe he wants to stay in Japan. 

VAN VERMESKERKEN Sai

Maybe the most surprising of the departures. Was playing quite a bit at right back so a bit of a shock to see him leave. Especially given that Miura and Sasaki will both potentially leave for Europe at some stage. (Them going on holiday to London together has made me think it might come sooner rather than later…). At the moment doesn’t have a club, which is a shock. Perhaps was on a higher salary than some others which might explain why he has left and why he hasn’t found a new club yet. I hope he can find somewhere soon. Good luck to him.
 

Retired

ANDO Shunsuke

Something of a shock retirement especially considering he had a lot more involvement last year than previously. His retirement is likely to have any significant effect on our fortunes. Now is an assistant goal keeping coach with the club. I’m pleased we’ve managed to keep him involved. 

KURUMAYA Shintaro

Another slightly shocking retirement, but one which probably makes sense as he seemed to be feeling the pace a bit. Not sure why he wanted to convert to centre back as I always preferred him out wide. I hope he enjoys his retirement!