2025.05.08

Wigi Kanemoto set to join Cerezo Osaka for the 2026 season

TEAM

Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Hannan University forward Wigi Kanemoto has agreed to join the club for the 2026 season.

He will also be registered as a JFA/J.League Special License Player and will be available to play for the club this season, wearing the number 39.

Comments

"I’m Wigi Kanemoto from Hannan University, and I will be joining Cerezo Osaka from the 2026 season. I’m very happy to be able to achieve my childhood dream of becoming a professional footballer at Cerezo Osaka, the club I love and where I spent three years in the U-18 team. I’m full of gratitude to my parents who supported and kept encouraging me no matter how hard things got, my siblings who made many sacrifices for me to pursue this dream, and to all the clubs and coaches who have guided me so far. When I was in the U-18 team, I watched the top-team players play at Yodoko Sakura Stadium with huge support from the fans, and I strongly felt that I wanted to become a Cerezo Osaka player one day. I’m truly honored to wear the Cerezo Osaka emblem again and to play for this club, which is special and one-of-a-kind for me. With joy and responsibility in my heart, I will fight with everything I have for the club and become a player who leads the team to victory with my goals. To all Cerezo Osaka fans and supporters, thank you for your support. Lastly, to everyone in the Hanasaka Club who kept cheering me on and gave me warm words even after I entered university, and to everyone who supported me since my academy days—your words like “we want you to come back” made me feel even more strongly that I want to return to Cerezo Osaka. Let’s fight together again! I’m home!"