(quoted from Gekisaka)
Here is the summary about Cerezo Osaka’s transfer and contract news coming out yesterday and today.
- Teruyuki Moniwa leaves Cerezo Osaka as his contract expires at the end of the season. Moniwa joined Cerezo Osaka from FC Tokyo in 2010, and after spending a season with Bangkok Glass, he re-joined in 2015. The former Japan international was already a well-known figure when he came here and soon he became a supporters’ favorite as, with Taikai Uemoto, he formed a strong defense and helped the team advance to the third place in 2010. He also came to love Cerezo Osaka as is shown by the fact that he named his first child Ohsuke written as 桜祐 (桜 means cherry blossom, which means Cerezo). In his 7 years here, Moniwa played 214 games and scored 2 goals (Link to the official release).
- Noriyuki Sakemoto leaves Cerezo Osaka as his contract expires at the end of the season. Sakemoto joined Cerezo Osaka from Hatsushiba Hashimoto High School in 2003. He used to be an attacking player but was converted into a fullback by Levir Culpi, and since then he has played an important part in the right flank. He has played for Cerezo Osaka for 15 years, which makes him the second longest-serving player after club legend Hiroaki Morishima. He is a great one-club man but still motivated to play professional football and willing to continue his career. In his 15 years at Cerezo, he played 365 games and scored 13 goals (Link to the official release).
- Guarani forward Bruno Mendes is rumored to have signed a contract to play for Cerezo Osaka next season. According to Brazilian media outlet Globo Esporte, Guarani president Palmeron Mendes Filho revealed it in a radio interview. Bruno Mendes is a 24-year-old attacker who has played at such teams as Botafogo, Atletico Paranaense, Avai, and Guarani. He scored 16 goals in total for Guarani this season according to the above-mentioned article, which also says he joins Cerezo on a free transfer.
- Brazilian forward Vandinho is taking a trial with Cerezo Osaka, Sports Nippon reported today. There is little information about this 24-year-old, but according to Sports Nippon, GM Kiyoshi Okuma said he performed well in the trial.
It’s sad to see the players like Moniwa and Sakemoto leave but for better or worse, sooner or later, these things unfortunately happen. I would like to send my gratitude for their huge contribution to the club and wish them all the best in their future careers. I’m sure they will someday come back and work for the club again. So, good bye for a while, see you again!