MANILA – Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo acquired the services of the Japanese-Korean midfielder Ryo Fujii ahead of the preliminary round of the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) Champions League.
The Iloilo City-based football club announced on Thursday evening the arrival of the 24-year-old midfielder, who has played in the United States (US) and Sweden before.
“I’m really excited to be a part of Kaya FC for this upcoming season. I can’t wait to see you all soon. Una Kaya!” Fujii said in a video message posted on Kaya-Iloilo’s Instagram account.
Capable as a deep-lying playmaker and as a dangerous link to the attack, Fujii adds depth to Kaya-Iloilo’s midfield position that already boasts Marwin Angeles, Arnel Amita, Dylan de Bruycker, and Masanari Omura.
Last year, Fujii was supposed to sign with Global Football Club but its removal from the Philippines Football League competition stalled his stint to play in the Philippines before getting an offer from Kaya-Iloilo.
Born in Hong Kong to a Japanese father and a Korean mother, Fujii grew up in US. He has suited up in the high school soccer circuit and became part of Chivas USA and L.A. Galaxy youth teams.
In college, Fujii played for a season for U.C. Santa Barbara before signing with L.A. Galaxy II and served as the captain in the ‘16-17 United Soccer League season. In 2018, he signed for the Swedish club Nyköpings BIS.
The Iloilo City-based football club, meanwhile, is set to face Australia’s Brisbane Roar in the preliminary round of the AFC Champions League either in June or July with the winner facing Beijing FC in a playoff for a spot in the group stage a week after./PN
