<h3 id="h6b65d21a02">A five-goal win in the away Osaka derby! Arthur Papas got off to a great start in his first game with Cerezo.</h3><img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/b29600616cc5469f8d3784f252dd45f1/0215MR%20(9).jpg" alt=""> The 2025 season has finally started. Cerezo Osaka kicked off the season with an away game in the Osaka Derby, which was also the opening game of the J.League. Cerezo's starting lineup included goalkeeper Kim Jin Hyeon, defenders Kakeru Funaki, Shinnosuke Hatanaka, Ryosuke Shindo, and Hayato Okuda (from left to right), Shinji Kagawa and Shunta Tanaka in central midfield, and Reiya Sakata, Sota Kitano, and Lucas Fernandes behind Rafael Ratao in a 4-2-3-1 formation. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/be64924b79a047b991ab60056abaf5d9/0215MR%20(7).jpg" alt=""> From the beginning of the game, Cerezo took control of the ball and went on the offensive. Sakata, in his third year as a professional, made his first start in the season opener, and from the start of the game, he created a chance with a vertical move. In the 7th minute, Cerezo took the lead. It came through an ideal move, connecting from the back line without hesitation, and finishing the ball off. Hatanaka passed vertically to Kitano, who drew his opponent to pass the ball, and Funaki received the ball in the middle of the field and played it to Okuda on the opposite flank. Okuda's diagonal pass found Ratao, Kagawa, and finally Kitano, who eventually scored. It was not only the first goal of the season in this season's J.League, but also a memorable goal for Cerezo as it brought their total to 1200 goals in J1. This was a great start for the number 38, who was determined to “get results this year." Sakata also had a chance in the 12th minute after receiving a pass from Kitano, but was denied by the goalkeeper and failed to add to the tally. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/81955e330ce246998609ee7c20b61486/0215MR%20(8).jpg" alt=""> Cerezo started well, but after 15 minutes the tempo of the game began to shift in Gamba's favor. They broke Cerezo's pressure from the front and played the ball down the flanks, and even had a chance to score when Cerezo misplaced a pass. Kim Jin Hyeon saved a shot from Takashi Usami in the 22nd minute, but Neta Lavi scored in the 31st minute after a breakaway on the left flank. The home crowd's excitement grew, but Cerezo had another golden opportunity in the 35th minute. As in the first goal, Cerezo's players combined passes from the back to move forward and break down the right flank, and finally, after a cross from Fernandes was put through by Ratao, Sakata was free to shoot. However, the ball did not find the back of the net and a great opportunity was wasted. In the last few minutes of the first half, Gamba again went on the attack, but were unable to turn the game around and went into the break all square. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/4a7980f7d41a4d08a101e57b3beee9b8/0215MR%20(4).jpg" alt=""> Just 40 seconds into the second half, Cerezo scored the winning goal. Fernandes crossed the ball on the right side, and Kitano, who had no hesitation in taking the ball out of the defender's path, fired home. His shot hit the opposing defender and was sucked into the goal. Cerezo again outshot Gamba, and scored a third goal in the 53rd minute. The ball was passed to Sakata in good position on the left flank, who dribbled vertically, cut inside, and shot. Kagawa picked up the ball and calmly slotted it into the net past the goalkeeper. The first derby goal for the number 8, the symbol of the Sakura, increased Cerezo's lead to two goals. Although Gamba pulled one back shortly thereafter, it was captain Tanaka who got the momentum going again. He met Kitano's free kick with a high header for his team's fourth goal, which was also his second consecutive season-opening goal. From then on, both teams made changes to their lineups as the game progressed. In the 73rd minute, Takumi Nakamura replaced Okuda at right back and Thiago Andrade replaced Sakata on the left wing for Cerezo. In the 76th minute, Andrade received a pass from Kagawa and crossed into the middle. Kitano tried to meet it and almost had the decisive chance, but could not make a shot. Cerezo, who had been keeping Gamba out without conceding a goal, sent this man on to the pitch in the 82nd minute: Motohiko Nakajima who returned to Cerezo this season after spending three seasons on loan with Vegalta Sendai. Nakajima is uniquely strong in derbies, scoring goals not only in the Osaka derby but also in the “Michinoku derby” against Montedio Yamagata when he was at Sendai. In his first game back with Cerezo, he immediately lived up to the expectations of the supporters. In the added time of the second half, Nakajima picked up a ball after the opposing centerback failed to clear the ball, and the number 13 started to dribble toward the goal with a strong determination to score. He dribbled past two opposing defenders and fired a shot into the net. Cerezo supporters, who had turned one corner of the stadium pink, were elated by the fifth goal. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/039e54d8620f492c8671c017d9e9fe64/0215MR%20(2).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/2fa1f4c3388b4481a42261de24234a19/0215MR%20(3).jpg" alt=""> <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/a506f892f60c4281b5a439c3c79d45bb/0215MR.jpg" alt=""> The game ended in a 5-2 victory for Cerezo. Arthur Papas' first match as manager finished with an excellent result. After the match, Kitano, the key player of the match, said with a big smile, “It's simply a great feeling. A derby victory is something else,” and Kagawa, who scored the third goal, also expressed his relief: “This year, I feel it is important how much I can get into the penalty area, so it was good to see the result of that." At the same time, however, Kagawa added, “This is just the beginning. I want to work towards the next game without being satisfied. The team will get better and better.” The manager himself expressed his delight, saying, “I know there were difficulties as we started working on a new style of football, but I am glad we were able to win in this way as a result of the players adapting to the new style,” while he also added “We've only just finished the first game.&nbsp;We want to grow even more from here." Cerezo started the season in the best possible way, with a great win in the Osaka derby at the opponents' home. Next up, they welcome Shonan Bellmare to Yodoko Sakura Stadium for their home opener, and will be looking to make it two wins in a row. <img src="https://images.microcms-assets.io/assets/cc125679249b4055b70b8d540ec6636a/13c60ef6570248a1bc115e1f39487610/0215MR%20(6).jpg" alt="">

Review: Gamba Osaka 2-5 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD1)

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Kazuma Makiguchi has agreed to join the club from Ehime FC on a loan deal. The loan period is until January 31, 2026. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"My name is Kazuma Makiguchi and I joined the club from Ehime FC. It is unusual to transfer just before the start of the season, but I received an offer from Cerezo Osaka and decided to take on this new challenge with strong motivation. I am very excited to play as a member of Cerezo Osaka. I will do my best to fight and share the joy with all the supporters. Thank you for your support!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth September 8, 2004 Place of Birth Hyogo Height / Weight 188cm / 75kg Position Goalkeeper Number 47 Career Koshienhama SC Vissel Kobe U-15 Ehime FC U-15 Ehime FC *Registered as a Class-2 player Ehime FC

Kazuma Makiguchi joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Keisuke Shimizu leaves the club to join FC BASARA HYOGO on a permanent deal. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I would like to thank all of our sponsors for their support during the 2024 season, all of our fans and supporters for always fighting alongside us players, all of the volunteers at the stadium for their constant support, and everyone in the Cerezo family. I have worked hard every day for the last three years with the goal of winning the title with this team. Although I did not achieve my goal and had to leave the team, my three years with Cerezo have been a very precious time for me. I feel how much responsibility and hard work it is to defend the goal of Cerezo. I am grateful to Cerezo Osaka for giving me this valuable experience for the rest of my life! I hope that Cerezo Osaka will win the title. Thank you very much." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth November 25, 1988 Place of Birth Hyogo Height / Weight 183cm / 75kg Position Goalkeeper Career Takigawa Daini High School Oita Trinita New Wave Kitakyushu / Giravanz Kitakyushu *Loan Oita Trinita Avispa Fukuoka *Loan Kyoto Sanga F.C. Cerezo Osaka Player Data J1: 15 games / 0 goal J2: 204 games / 0 goal League Cup: 9 games / 0 goal Emperor's Cup: 22 games / 0 goal

Keisuke Shimizu joins FC BASARA HYOGO

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Rafael Ratao has agreed to join the club from EC Bahia (Brazil) on a loan deal. The contract will be officially signed after the medical check. The loan period is until the end of the 2025 season. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"To everyone involved with Cerezo Osaka, it is a pleasure to greet you. My name is Rafael Ratao. Please call me Ratao. I used to belong to a Japanese team for a year and it has been my dream to come back to Japan and play there again. I am very happy to make that dream come true and I hope to score many goals and have a great season with you all. Thank you for your support!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth November 30, 1995 Place of Birth Brazil Height / Weight 177cm / 82kg Position Forward Number 9 Career AA Ponte Preta (Brazil) CA Penapolense (Brazil) *Loan Boa EC (Brazil) *Loan Santos FC B (Brazil) *Loan CA Penapolense (Brazil) *Loan Guaratingueta (Brazil) *Loan Albirex Niigata *Loan Nautico (Brazil) *Loan Chungju Hummel FC (South Korea) CA Tubarao (Brazil) Luverdense EC (Brazil) *Loan Novorizontino (Brazil) Oeste FC (Brazil) FC Zorya Luhansk (Ukraine) SK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) *Loan SK Slovan Bratislava (Slovakia) Toulouse FC (France) EC Bahia (Brazil) Player Data (in Japan) Emperor's Cup: 1 game / 0 goal

Rafael Ratao joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

[Apology] *Updated on January 14 There was an incorrect description of the country of Thiago's previous team. We will work to ensure that this does not happen again, and we would like to apologize to anyone who may have felt uncomfortable by this error. ***** Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Thiago Andrade has agreed to join the club from Toronto FC (Canada) on a permanent deal. The contract will be officially signed after the medical check. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"To everyone involved with Cerezo Osaka, it is a pleasure to greet you. My name is Thiago Andrade. Please call me Thiago. I am very happy to be a member of your team, and I would like to thank everyone involved with Cerezo for believing in my abilities. Let's fight together until the end of this season!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth October 31, 2000 Place of Birth Brazil Height / Weight 180cm / 68kg Position Forward Number 11 Career EC Bahia (Brazil) New York City FC (USA) Atletico Paranaense (Brazil) *Loan Shenzhen Peng City (China) *Loan San Diego FC (USA) Toronto FC (Canada)

Thiago Andrade joins Cerezo Osaka *Updated on Jan 14

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Jun Nishikawa, who was on developmental loan at Iwaki FC, joins Sagan Tosu on loan. The loan period will be from February 1, 2025 to January 31, 2026. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I will play for Sagan Tosu this season. I will do my best to show you all how I have grown even more! Thank you for your support." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth February 21, 2002 Place of Birth Kanagawa Height / Weight 180cm / 70kg Position Midfielder Career Aoba FC Yokohama F. Marinos Jr Youth Toko Gakuen High School Cerezo Osaka *As a Special License Player Cerezo Osaka Sagan Tosu *Loan Iwaki FC *Developmental loan National Team U-15 Japan U-16 Japan U-17 Japan U-19 Japan U-20 Japan U-21 Japan U-22 Japan Player Data (Total) J1: 66 games / 2 goals J2: 35 games / 3 goals J3: 1 game / 0 goal League Cup: 9 games / 1 goal Emperor's Cup: 7 games / 1 goal ACL: 1 game / 0 goal

Jun Nishikawa joins Sagan Tosu on loan

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Yang Han Been leaves the club to join Sagan Tosu on a permanent deal. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I have decided to join Sagan Tosu. Thank you for your support over the past two years. Although I have not been involved in many games, I have received a lot of support from the Cerezo Osaka supporters. Thank you very much. The moment I first heard my own chant at the stadium left a strong impression on me, and I will never forget that feeling. I will do my best to play an active role in Sagan Tosu and show you all how I have grown. I look forward to seeing you all again someday." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth August 30, 1991 Place of Birth South Korea Height / Weight 195cm / 90kg Position Goalkeeper Career Gangwon FC Seongnam Ilhwa Chunma / Seongnam FC FC Seoul Cerezo Osaka National Team U-20 South Korea U-23 South Korea Player Data J1: 13 games / 0 goal League Cup: 5 games / 0 goal Emperor's Cup: 3 games / 0 goal

Yang Han Been leaves Cerezo Osaka to join Sagan Tosu

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Hiroto Yamada leaves the club to join Sagan Tosu on a permanent deal. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"Thank you for your support for about 10 years since I had been with Cerezo Osaka Youth. If I hadn't decided to join Cerezo when I was in my third year of junior high school, I really believe that I wouldn't have become a professional. I can only thank Cerezo for making my dream come true. I admired the great seniors and worked hard so that I could lead this club as a graduate of the academy. I am disappointed to leave this club without achieving any results and without being able to repay those who have helped me. I will continue to do my best in a new place, so that I can increase my value as a footballer, and I will continue to be proud to come from this club, even if with a different team. I hope that the Cerezo (well known) for youth development will come back again. Thank you very much." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth March 7, 2000 Place of Birth Aichi Height / Weight 183cm / 76kg Position Forward Career Aichi FC Roupeiro Kariya Cerezo Osaka U-18 Cerezo Osaka *Registered as a Class-2 player Cerezo Osaka FC Ryukyu *Developmental loan Cerezo Osaka Vegalta Sendai *Developmental loan Cerezo Osaka National Team U-15 Japan U-16 Japan U-17 Japan U-18 Japan Player Data J1: 67 games / 6 goals J2: 44 games / 4 goals J3: 39 games / 10 goals League Cup: 17 games / 4 goals Emperor's Cup: 8 games / 0 goal ACL: 5 games / 0 goal

Hiroto Yamada leaves Cerezo Osaka to join Sagan Tosu

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Jaroensak Wonggorn has joined the club from BG Pathum United FC (Thailand) on a loan deal. The loan period is from January 5, 2025 to June 30, 2025. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I am very happy to be a member of Cerezo Osaka. It has been my dream to play in Japan, so I decided without hesitation. I am excited to join a big club like Cerezo Osaka. I like the Japanese style of play and I will do my best on the pitch, learning from my teammates and improving myself every day while immersing myself in a new environment. I will always be ready to give more than 100%. Cerezo Osaka and all Thai soccer fans, thank you for your support." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth May 18, 1997 Place of Birth Thailand Height / Weight 168cm / 60kg Position Forward Career Air Force Central (Thailand) Pattaya United FC (Thailand) BG Pathum United FC (Thailand) Muangthong United FC (Thailand) BG Pathum United FC (Thailand) National Team U-19 Thailand U-21 Thailand U-22 Thailand U-23 Thailand Thailand

Jaroensak Wonggorn joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Leo Ceara leaves the club to join Kashima Antlers on a permanent deal. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"Today I have to say goodbye to everyone at Cerezo Osaka who gave me a wonderful opportunity. The memories I have made with Cerezo over the past two years will stay with me for the rest of my life. I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone involved with Cerezo and to all the supporters who have continued to support me. It has been a very happy two years, and I am filled with gratitude. Thank you very much. From now on, I will support you all forever. A big hug from the bottom of my heart to all of you, with my gratitude for your support. From Leo Ceara." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth February 3, 1995 Place of Birth Brazil Height / Weight 178cm / 78kg Position Forward Career EC Vitoria (Brazil) FC Ryukyu *Loan EC Vitoria (Brazil) AD Confianca (Brazil) *Loan EC Vitoria (Brazil) CRB (Brazil) *Loan EC Vitoria (Brazil) Yokohama F. Marinos Cerezo Osaka Player Data (Domestic) J1: 129 games / 54 goals J3: 23 games / 2 goals League Cup: 14 games / 4 goals Emperor's Cup: 9 games / 4 goals ACL: 4 games / 2 goals

Leo Ceara leaves Cerezo Osaka for Kashima Antlers

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Nagi Matsumoto, who was on loan at Montedio Yamagata, will return to Cerezo Osaka for the 2025 season. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I return to Cerezo Osaka. Since turning professional, I have been on loan repeatedly and have not been able to help Cerezo, but I will do my best to contribute with what I have gained up until now. Let's fight together in the pink uniform!" <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth September 4, 2001 Place of Birth Osaka Height / Weight 171cm / 66kg Position Midfielder Career Kire Higashi FC Cerezo Osaka U-15 Cerezo Osaka U-18 Cerezo Osaka *Registered as a Class-2 player Cerezo Osaka Tochigi SC *Developmental loan Ventforet Kofu *Developmental loan Montedio Yamagata *Loan National Team U-15 Japan U-16 Japan U-17 Japan U-18 Japan U-19 Japan U-21 Japan Player Data J2: 100 games / 5 goals J3: 56 games / 3 goals League Cup: 1 game / 0 goal Emperor's Cup: 11 games / 1 goal ACL: 3 games / 0 goal FUJIFILM SUPER CUP: 1 game / 0 goal

Nagi Matsumoto returns from loan at Montedio Yamagata

Cerezo Osaka can confirm that Ryogo Yamasaki leaves the club to join V-Varen Nagasaki on a permanent deal. <h3 id="hf9070a5ba3">Comments</h3>"I will be playing for V-Varen Nagasaki next season. I joined the team in the summer and felt a lot of frustration because I could not contribute to achieving the team's goals. However, every day for the past six months has been exciting and I have found myself becoming more and more absorbed in soccer. I am grateful to the players, the staff, and the wonderful people I have met during my time here. What I remember most is the Osaka derby. The ground-shaking cheers of the fans and supporters for each play and the sense of unity was something I had never felt before. I will never forget playing in that atmosphere and winning that game. I was happy to be able to play soccer for Cerezo Osaka! I will do my best to help Nagasaki to J1 and play in front of you again! Thank you very much." <h3 id="hee3eba2108">Profile</h3>Date of Birth September 20, 1992 Place of Birth Okayama Height / Weight 187cm / 82kg Position Forward Career Hero Bizen Jr Youth Tamano Konan High School Fukuoka University Sagan Tosu Tokushima Vortis *Loan Sagan Tosu Tokushima Vortis Shonan Bellmare Nagoya Grampus Kyoto Sanga F.C. Cerezo Osaka Player Data (Total) J1: 162 games / 17 goals J2: 92 games / 22 goals League Cup: 24 games / 5 goals Emperor's Cup: 13 games / 5 goals ACL: 6 games / 4 goals J1 Promotion Play-off: 2 games / 0 goal

NEWS

Review: Gamba Osaka 2-5 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD1)

Kazuma Makiguchi joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Keisuke Shimizu joins FC BASARA HYOGO

Rafael Ratao joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Thiago Andrade joins Cerezo Osaka *Updated on Jan 14

Jun Nishikawa joins Sagan Tosu on loan

Yang Han Been leaves Cerezo Osaka to join Sagan Tosu

Hiroto Yamada leaves Cerezo Osaka to join Sagan Tosu

Jaroensak Wonggorn joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Leo Ceara leaves Cerezo Osaka for Kashima Antlers

Nagi Matsumoto returns from loan at Montedio Yamagata

Ryogo Yamasaki leaves Cerezo Osaka for V-Varen Nagasaki

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Review: Gamba Osaka 2-5 Cerezo Osaka (J1 MD1)

Kazuma Makiguchi joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Keisuke Shimizu joins FC BASARA HYOGO

Rafael Ratao joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Thiago Andrade joins Cerezo Osaka *Updated on Jan 14

Jun Nishikawa joins Sagan Tosu on loan

Yang Han Been leaves Cerezo Osaka to join Sagan Tosu

Hiroto Yamada leaves Cerezo Osaka to join Sagan Tosu

Jaroensak Wonggorn joins Cerezo Osaka on loan

Leo Ceara leaves Cerezo Osaka for Kashima Antlers

Nagi Matsumoto returns from loan at Montedio Yamagata

Ryogo Yamasaki leaves Cerezo Osaka for V-Varen Nagasaki

NEWS