Cerezo Osaka announced last night that central defender Tatsuya Yamashita joins J2 side Kashiwa Reysol on August 13 on a permanent basis.

The news came out as a big shock for Cerezo Osaka supporters, not just because of its timing (after a disappointing defeat against Sagan Tosu), but also because no one expected it now.

Tatsuya Yamashita joined Cerezo Osaka in 2006 after graduating from Mikage Technical High School and has played for the club for more than 10 years. Although he once left Cerezo and spent a year with Consadole Sapporo in 2011, Cerezo decided to acquire him back at the end of that year after he contributed to Sapporo’s promotion to J1.

Since then, he has played a massive role as a key defender, playing more than 100 games in the J1 League and more than 200 games in total. But, while he became the first defender to score the first goal of the season this year, he lost playing opportunity under new manager Miguel Angel Lotina, starting just 4 games in the league so far.

“I have a lot of things to talk, a lot of gratitude, but I can’t write them down here because it would be too long. I will do my best so that I can see you again and play against. Thank you for your long term support,” he said on the club website.