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Heo joins Bayern academy; Sailors add Mance

Sat, 01 Aug, 2026

Heo joins Bayern academy; Sailors add Mance

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic goalkeeper Heo Jae-won has secured a move to Bayern Munich’s academy, while Singapore champions Lion City Sailors have strengthened their attacking ranks with the signing of Antonio Mance.

Clubs in Japan, Vietnam, Qatar and Korea Republic were also active with Taito Kanda, Iuri Castillo, Kalvin Luong, Abdullah Al Sulaiti, Ruben Macedo and Kim Min-ho completing moves.

Hashioka links up with Gladbach; Lee off to Darmstadt

Fri, 31 Jul, 2026

Hashioka links up with Gladbach; Lee off to Darmstadt

Kuala Lumpur: Asian stars continue to pick Germany as their preferred destination with Daiki Hashioka and Lee Ho-jae the latest to confirm moves there.

Borussia Monchengladbach have signed Daiki Hashioka on a season-long loan from Czech champions Slavia Prague, with the deal including an option to buy the Japan international.

Japan to host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028™

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Japan to host AFC U23 Asian Cup 2028™

Kuala Lumpur: The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Executive Committee officially ratified a series of major hosting and regulatory decisions, including the confirmation of Japan as the host of the 2028 edition of the AFC U23 Asian Cup™, which will serve as Asia’s qualifiers for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.

Japan secured the hosting rights following a competitive bidding process that included submissions from Jordan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Qatar, and Uzbekistan as well as the United Arab Emirates, who subsequently withdrew earlier this year.

Sailors capture Phaeton; Ko inks Dewa deal

Thu, 30 Jul, 2026

Sailors capture Phaeton; Ko inks Dewa deal

Kuala Lumpur: Lion City Sailors have bolstered their attacking ranks with the signing of Guadeloupe international Matthias Phaeton, while Korea Republic defender Ko Myeong-seok has completed a move to Indonesia’s Dewa United.

David Aizawa has also left J.League outfit Vissel Kobe for Division 2 side Oita Trinita on loan, with Melbourne City adding Brazilian midfielder Matheus Rossetto to their squad.

Kobe get Takahashi; Lacerda moves to Kawasaki

Wed, 29 Jul, 2026

Kobe get Takahashi; Lacerda moves to Kawasaki

Kuala Lumpur: Vissel Kobe have secured midfielder Issei Takahashi from JEF United Chiba, while Kawasaki Frontale strengthened their forward line with the signing of Brazilian striker Derik Lacerda.

JEF United, K League clubs Busan IPark and Hwaseong FC and Emirati side Kalba Football Club were also active in the transfer market, completing additions ahead of their respective domestic campaigns.

Premier League for Maeda, Lee returns to Spain

Sun, 26 Jul, 2026

Premier League for Maeda, Lee returns to Spain

Kuala Lumpur: Ipswich signed Japan forward Daizen Maeda from Scottish champions Celtic while Korea Republic international Kang-In Lee has joined Atletico Madrid from France’s Paris Saint-Germain.

Maeda agreed a three-year contract with the newly-promoted Premier League club after four and a half years with Celtic where he lifted five Scottish titles, three Scottish Cups and two Scottish League Cups.

The 28-year-old scored 79 goals in 212 appearances for Celtic and was a member of the Japan squad that reached the last 32 at the FIFA World Cup 2026 before losing to Brazil.

Asian Review: Japan

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Asian Review: Japan

Kuala Lumpur: Japan's FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign may have ended at the first knockout stage but they exited the tournament with their heads held high after producing strong performances.

A late Gabriel Martinelli goal meant a 2-1 defeat to Brazil in their Round of 32 showdown but head coach Hajime Moriyasu remains firmly convinced that the trajectory that Japan are on will lead them to the world title in the near future.

That Japan can hold their own against the biggest teams in the world can no longer be disputed, with the Samurai Blue having defeated Brazil and England in friendly matches leading up to the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Inzaghi signs Summerville; Morita seals Hull City move

Sat, 25 Jul, 2026

Inzaghi signs Summerville; Morita seals Hull City move

Kuala Lumpur: Head coach Simone Inzaghi has further strengthened Al Hilal SFC’s star-studded squad with the signing of Netherlands international Crysencio Summerville, while Japan midfielder Hidemasa Morita has completed a move to English side Hull City.

Summerville joined the four-time Asian champions from West Ham United on a four-year contract, with the signing completed at Al Hilal’s pre-season training camp in Austria.

Moriyasu to stay on for Saudi Arabia 2027, to be replaced by Oiwa

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Moriyasu to stay on for Saudi Arabia 2027, to be replaced by Oiwa

Kuala Lumpur: Hajime Moriyasu will remain as Japan head coach until the conclusion of the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027™ when he will be replaced by current Olympic team coach Go Oiwa, the Japan Football Association announced on Thursday.

Moriyasu will make a third attempt to lead Japan to the continental title at the Finals in Saudi Arabia in January and February after securing a runners-up finish in 2019 and exiting the competition in the quarter-finals in 2023.

He will then stand down from the post he has held since 2018, when he replaced Akira Nishino as Japan head coach in the aftermath of the 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals in Russia.

Masoud strengthens Al Ahli; Okuma joins Aston Villa

Thu, 23 Jul, 2026

Masoud strengthens Al Ahli; Okuma joins Aston Villa

Kuala Lumpur: Saudi Arabia midfielder Naif Masoud has joined Al Ahli Saudi FC on a four-year contract while Japan goalkeeper Akane Okuma has completed a move to English Women’s Super League side Aston Villa.

The 25-year-old Masoud arrives from Al Fateh and becomes Al Ahli’s fifth addition of the transfer window, following Abubakar Sidi Kinteh, Francisco Trincao, Eduard Spertsyan and Mishal Al Mutairi.

Hwang, Araki, Ilhan and Itamura seal moves

Tue, 21 Jul, 2026

Hwang, Araki, Ilhan and Itamura seal moves

Kuala Lumpur: Korea Republic midfielder Hwang In-beom has joined Portuguese champions FC Porto, headlining a series of moves involving Japan duo Mao Itamura and Ryotaro Araki, as well as Singapore international Ilhan Fandi.

Hwang completed his Porto switch from Feyenoord on a three-year contract, with an option for a further season.

Japan maintain position as Asia’s top side

Fri, 24 Jul, 2026

Japan maintain position as Asia’s top side

Kuala Lumpur: Japan moved up one spot to 17th in the FIFA World Rankings after their performance at the recently concluded FIFA World Cup 2026 that saw the Blue Samurai reaching the Round of 32.

The East Asian side claimed a win against Tunisia with stalemates against the Netherlands and Sweden before suffering a last-gasp defeat to five-time champions Brazil in the Round of 32.