Fagiano Legend File No. 8 : Kota UEDA

He became a member of Fagiano on a loan from the division 1 club, Omiya Ardija in 2014 when Okayama were hovering near the bottom at the begining of the season. He is the product of J League division 1 three-time champion, Jubilo Iwata. This talented playmaker was expected as the club's savior. 


This legend played for the year of 2014, but he established his presence as a go-to player. He made a great contribution to lead the club to the 8th place in the league.


During the term, he was capped at 35 matches and netted two goals. After he joined the club, Fagiano became more stable in their performance. After 2014 season, he was transferred to Jubilo Iwata even though Okayama tried to persuade him to stay in the red-uniformed team. 

In 2018, he came back to Okayama and played for three years. He brought creativity to the club and made a great contribution to the club's performance.

Fagiano Legend File No. 7 : Akira KAJI

This legend defender joined from Chivas USA in the United states in 2015 at the age of 35. Before he went abroad, he used to play for several powerful clubs in the division 1 such as FC Tokyo and Gamba Osaka. He was selected as an international for 2006 FIFA World Cup in Germany.

 
Before 2015 season, his participation became a big news in Okayama city as well as another legend, Iwamasa. This veteran was very influential for young players.  


He played for the red-uniformed men for three years. He had an established presence in the club and made a great contribution to Okayama. After 2017 season, he announced that he would go into retirement.

Fagiano Legend File No. 6 : Daiki IWAMASA

This legend defender joined from Thai powerful club, BEC Tero Sasana FC in 2015 at age of 33. Before he went to Thai, he had played for a powerful club in the division 1, Kashima Antlers for ten years. While he was in Kashima, he led the team to three straight championships in the division 1 league. He was selected as an international for 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.


Before 2015 season, his participation became a big news in Okayama city. He brought his passionate spirit to his team and mainly played as a centre back. This veteran was very influential for less-experienced young players.   



During the two seasons, he had an established presence in the club. He was excellent with heading so that he scored four goals in 2015 and six goals in 2016 respectively even though he positions at centre back. After 2016 season, This captain announced that he would leave the club, taking the responsibility for the failure to promote for the division 1 league in 2016.

Fagiano Legend File No. 5 : Ryusuke SENO

He joined Okayama after graduating from Osaka Gakuin university in 2008 when the club belonged to JFL. He is from Okayama city so that he was one of the most popular players in the club's history and he was like a local hero in Okayama.


He played mainly as both wing-backs. His total score in his career is 10 goals in 112 appearances in the division 2 and 3 goals in 32 appearances in JFL. He often played the role to change the game.


In 2011, he took off his shoes because of his injury but he came back to the pitch two years later. In 2015, he gave up his football career at the end of the season. He now works at the club's academy.

Fagiano Legend File No. 4 : Kengo KAWAMATA

He joined the club on a loan from the division 1 club, Albirex Niigata in 2012. He came to Okayama to gain playing experiences. At that time, he had no remarkable actual achievement in his career, therefore, he was expected to improve his strength.


He played only for the year of 2012, but this young forward fitted happily into the club and reinforced their attacking dramatically.


During the season, he had an established presence as an ace attacker. In the season, he appeared in 38 games and netted 18 goals. He was No.1 Japanese top scorer in the league. He made a great contribution to lead the club into eighth place of the league, that was the best performance in the club's history. Sadly, after the season, he returned to Niigata, and made a big breakthrough in the division 1. In 2015, he played for the national team.He now plays for Jubilo Iwata.

Fagiano Legend File No. 3 : Kota HATTORI

He came to Okayama from the division 1 club, Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2012 at his age of 35. He had played for Hiroshima as a regular for a long time. He was well-experienced with more than 400 appearances in the division 1. 


He played mainly as a left wing-back, only for the year of 2012,  but this veteran was like a textbook for other young players,  especially, Former Fagiano's man, Tadokoro in the same position.


In the season, he was capped at 14 matches, but, he chronically suffered from his injuries, making him give up his football career at the end of the season. The club held a retirement ceremony for this big name.

Fagiano Legend File No. 2 : Ilian Stoyanov

He joined the club from the division 1 club, Sanfrecce Hiroshima in 2011 at his age of 34. He was a world-class defender with Bulgarian national career. For Fagiano, that was the first time that former internatinal played in the club, therefore, his participation became a big news in Okayama city.


He played only for the year of 2011, but he was very familiar with Japanese football because he had already played for JEF United Chiba and Hiroshima for 6 years in total since he came to Japan in 2005. This veteran was very influential for less-experienced players.   


During the season, he had an established presence in the club with his experiences and spirit. He was like a textbook for his teammates. In 2011, He scored two goals and eight assists even though he mainly played as a central defender. At the end of the season, he decided to step down as a player.

Fagiano Legend File No. 1 : Shugo KAWAHARA

He is legendary fantasista in the club's history. He led the club as a captian during the primary phase of Okayama. He is home-grown in Kurashiki city. After his graduation from big-time sports high school,Tamano Konan High shoool in Okayama, he played a football at Fukuoka University with Tsuboi, former international, playing for Shonan Bellmare in J league division 1 this season.


Later, he belonged to Mitsubishi Motors Mizushima FC as an amateur for four years in Japan Football League. In 2006, he decided to join then Chogoku Regional club, Fagiano Okayama. At that time, he said that he couldn't imagine that he would be able to play in J League in the future.


He had experienced the promotion twice, firstly to Japan Football League in 2007, secondly to J League division 2 in 2008. He played spiritual pillar and made great contribution to the club. In 2010, he announced that he hung up his boots. At the end of 2010 season, the club held a retirement ceremony for the contributor. I still remember that the ceremony was very impressive.