Japanese football legend Keisuke Honda is set to bring his trademark intensity and vision to the Singapore Premier League (SPL) next season. The former Japan and AC Milan midfielder will join Albirex Niigata Singapore—soon to be renamed FC Jurong—in August, the club announced on Friday.
The 39-year-old midfielder’s move marks one of the most high-profile signings in the SPL’s recent history and a significant boost for Singapore’s growing football scene. For fans across Asia, Honda’s presence brings renewed attention to the region’s evolving club landscape and a powerful symbol of cross-cultural football exchange.
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to play for FC Jurong. As I turn 40 this year, I am pursuing several personal challenges, including a Guinness World Record for scoring in the most countries’ top leagues,” said Honda.
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“However, my primary goal with this club is to win the league title. There are a couple of very strong rivals, so it will be a tough challenge, but I am determined to achieve it.”
Honda’s globe-spanning career began at Nagoya Grampus Eight before moving to VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands, CSKA Moscow in Russia, and AC Milan in Italy’s Serie A. Over nearly two decades, he’s also played in Australia, Brazil and Portugal, earning close to 100 caps for Japan and appearing at three FIFA World Cups.
His leadership extended beyond the pitch when he served as head coach of Cambodia’s national team from 2018 to 2023.
Honda isn’t a stranger to Singapore. The player-turned-investor, who co-founded the venture firm X&KSK, has been spotted training at local facilities such as Our Tampines Hub and Jurong East Stadium—now FC Jurong’s home ground. Late last year, he shared photos from his training sessions on Instagram, hinting at deeper ties with the country.
“To build a great castle, you need a solid cornerstone. Into that cornerstone, we pour world-class experience, vision, and passion,” said club chairman Daisuke Korenaga. “Together with Keisuke Honda, we are determined to build a legacy that will carry this club forward for the next 100 years.”
Friday’s announcement follows the club’s confirmation earlier this week that it will rebrand to FC Jurong from the 2026/2027 season—shifting away from its long-standing Japanese identity. This rebrand, Korenaga explained, reflects the team’s desire to strengthen local roots and deepen its relationship with Singaporean fans.
“Through extensive discussions with our stakeholders, we have come to the conclusion that the club must put down deeper roots in this region and pursue a greater level of localisation. The name change is one important expression of that commitment,” said Korenaga.
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“A club’s name is more than just a label—it is a statement of where we stand, who we walk alongside, and which community we are building our future with. The name FC Jurong carries our heartfelt desire to grow with this town, to be needed by this town, and to be a club this town is proud to call its own.”
Currently sitting third in the SPL, Albirex has already secured six domestic league titles. With Honda joining the ranks, the newly minted FC Jurong will carry the ambitions of not only a club, but a community—and a region—that continually pushes the boundaries of Asian football.
