As indicated in the title, we are pleased to announce that Atsushi Yanagisawa, who retired from active play at the end of the 2014 season, will be joining the top team as a coach from the 2015 season.
■ Name: Atsushi Yanagisawa
■ Born: May 27, 1977, Toyama Prefecture
■ Size: 177 cm, 75 kg
■ Playing Position: FW
■ Career: (Year of joining in parentheses)
Kosugi SSS - FC Higashi Junior Youth - Toyama Daiichi High School - Kashima Antlers (1996) - Sampdoria (2003, Italy) - Messina (2004, Italy) - Kashima Antlers (2006) - Kyoto Sanga F.C. (2008) - Vegalta Sendai (2011-2014)
■ Official Match Records:
Total J1 League: 371 appearances, 108 goals (Kashima: 220 appearances, 80 goals)
Total Nabisco Cup: 64 appearances, 14 goals (Kashima: 43 appearances, 9 goals)
Total Emperor's Cup: 35 appearances, 10 goals (Kashima: 25 appearances, 8 goals)
J.League Championship: 8 appearances, 0 goals
AFC Champions League: 3 appearances, 1 goal (Kashima: 0 appearances, 0 goals)
Asia Cup Winners' Cup: 5 appearances, 2 goals
Asian Club Championship: 12 appearances, 6 goals
A3 Champions Cup: 2 appearances, 1 goal
Xerox Super Cup: 5 appearances, 4 goals
■ Japan National Team History:
International A-Matches: 58 appearances, 17 goals
・ Japan National Team (participated in 2002, 2006 FIFA World Cups)
・ U-23 Japan National Team (participated in Sydney Olympics 2000)
・ U-20 Japan National Team (participated in 1997 FIFA World Youth Championship)
■ Titles Won:
J.League Champion: 5 times
Yamazaki Nabisco Cup Winner: 3 times
Emperor's Cup Winner: 3 times
A3 Champions Cup Winner: 1 time
Xerox Super Cup Winner: 3 times
■ Individual Titles:
1997: J.League Rookie of the Year
1998: J.League Best Eleven
2001: J.League Best Eleven, Footballer of the Year (established by sports journalists' club)
2008: J.League Best Eleven
■ Comment from Mr. Yanagisawa:
"First and foremost, I feel great joy to be a part of Kashima Antlers again after approximately 8 years. It is a great honor to return to the club where I took my first steps as a professional after a 19-year playing career, and to start a new career as a coach. While my position and role will change significantly, my desire to contribute to the team remains unchanged. I intend to leverage my past experience and fully support the team as a coach, so I look forward to working with you."