Following in the footsteps of Paul Pogba, veteran forward Lukas Podolski has become the latest professional footballer to score his very own Twitter emoji.
Having officially joined Japanese side Vissel Kobe earlier in the week, the former German…
Two months after the deal was first struck, Lukas Podolski has finally completed his move to the Japanese top tier with Vissel Kobe.
To prepare himself for life in a new country, Podolski has spent the past few weeks immersing himself in Japanese culture — or so Vissel Kobe’s ‘welcome’ video would have us believe.
Can’t wait for the new challenge. People in kobe, yoroshiku onegaishimasu! #WelcomePoldi #Kobe #Japan #Poldi #Strassenkicker #Tsubasa ��������…
Daichi Kamada has said his move to Frankfurt is ‘very exciting.’
Eintracht Frankfurt have signed 20-year-old Japanese midfielder Daichi Kamada from Sagan Tosu on a four-year contract.
Kamada has scored three goals and set up a further two in 16 matches in Japan in the current J-League season, and DFB Pokal finalists Frankfurt are reported to have paid €2.5 million for him.
“Daichi has a lot of potential. We’ve seen him play many times,” Frankfurt sporting director Fredi Bobic told the club’s official website.
“He makes our attacking midfield more variable.”
Kamada…
Heading back home to the Japanese J League could solidify Keisuke Honda’s place on the Japan national team.
Keisuke Honda’s three and a half years at AC Milan, the team he supported as a boy, are over and the Japanese star confirmed that he is on his way out.
His dream move was not exactly a nightmare, but Honda often struggled for playing time in Italy and didn’t manage to make the impact he would have liked.
There is no doubting his talent, however, and at the age of 30, there is still plenty more where that came from. The question now is “Where next?” ESPNFC looks at five options.
1. Japan
The easiest…
Gamba Osaka fans landed their side in hot water.
TOKYO — The J-League fined first division side Gamba Osaka $17,500 on Thursday after a group of supporters displayed a banner with a logo resembling a Nazi symbol during a match last month.
The banner, which resembled a symbol derived from the SS of Nazi Germany, was displayed at the team’s April 16 match away to crosstown rivals Cerezo Osaka.
After the incident, Gamba said that members of the group have been banned from games indefinitely.
Kawasaki Frontale was fined $15,000 last week by the Asian…
ESPN FC’s Jason Dasey and PJ Roberts recap the big wins for Japan, South Korea and Iran in AFC World Cup qualifying.
Takefusa Kubo, right, made his FC Tokyo senior debut in a Japanese cup game on Wednesday.
Thailand, Iran and South Korea are Asian nations who have their own versions of Lionel Messi, however misguided the comparison. And now, Japan have joined the club. Hopes are high that Takefusa Kubo will shine brighter than any Japanese player in history.
In terms of media attention, he is already on his way. Still only 15, he made his senior debut in midweek for FC Tokyo in a cup game against Consadole Sapporo. becoming the second youngest rookie in J.League history after Takayuki Morimoto in 2004.
It…
J-League Champions, the Kashima Antlers leapfrogged Urawa Reds to go top of the league after a 1-0 win at the Saitama stadium.
Urawa Reds made it four-in-a-row to stay top of the Japanese J League by beating Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo.
Vissel Kobe returned to the top of the J-League with a 2-0 win away to bottom-placed Omiya Ardija.
ESPN FC’s Jason Dasey and PJ Roberts recap the big wins for Japan, South Korea and Iran in AFC World Cup qualifying.
Jason Dasey and Stanely Bernard discuss Thailand’s future after winning their record fifth AFF Cup.
SAITAMA — Japan centre-back Maya Yoshida hopes Chanathip Songkrasin can help lift Thai football to greater heights after the Muang Thong United playmaker joins J.League side Consadole Sapporo in July.
Southampton man Yoshida was on target in the Samurai Blue’s 4-0 victory over Thailand in Tuesday’s Group B 2018 World Cup qualifier in Saitama. Despite the scoreline, the defender was not impressed by his side’s performance, yet found the time to give Chanathip his best wishes.
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