Latest news with #CerezoOsaka
The Star
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Star
Cools gets perfect birthday present by signing for Japan J1 outfit
Going places: Malaysia's Dion Cools (left) will report to Cerezo Osaka after playing for Harimau Malaya in the AFC Asian Cup 2027 third-round qualifier against Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. PETALING JAYA: A birthday to remember, Dion Cools is heading to Japan. On the day he turned 29, the Malaysian international marked a major milestone in his career by signing with J-League 1 side Cerezo Osaka, making him the first Malaysian to secure a contract in Japan's top-tier football league. Having spent the last two seasons with Thai giants Buriram United, Cools now embarks on a fresh challenge in one of Asia's most competitive football environments, an inspiring leap not just for himself, but for Malaysian football as a whole. 'I'm truly happy to have the opportunity to come to Japan and Osaka, and I'm very grateful for this chance,' said Cools in a statement issued by the club. 'I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff, and all the fans and supporters as soon as possible. I will give my all to help the team win as many games as possible and achieve our goals. 'Thank you for your support.' Cools will report to Cerezo after completing national team duty in the upcoming AFC Asian Cup 2027 third-round qualifier against Vietnam at the National Stadium in Bukit Jalil on June 10. His arrival could not come at a better time for the Sakuras, who currently sit eighth in the J-League with 29 points, just five behind the top three. They've conceded 26 goals in 20 matches, and Cools' defensive solidity and attacking prowess down the right flank could offer the balance the team need to climb further up the table. Though several Malaysians have previously featured in Japan's J2 and J3 leagues, including Luqman Hakim Shamsudin (YSSC Yokohama), Muhammad Abu Khalil (FC Osaka), and Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak (Fagiano Okayama and Azul Claro Numazu), Cools is the first to break into the elite J1 division. His move will no doubt please national head coach Peter Cklamovski, who has long championed the idea that Japan provide the ideal proving ground for ambitious players, those ready to stretch their limits in pursuit of excellence. And Cools, it seems, is ready to do just that, raising the bar for Malaysian footballers and carving a trail into Japan's top flight that others may now dare to follow.
Free Malaysia Today
10 hours ago
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
Cools first M'sian to sign for J1 League side
Harimau Malaya captain Dion Cools has joined J1 League side Cerezo Osaka from Thai League club Buriram United. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR : Harimau Malaya captain Dion Cools has become the first Malaysian footballer to sign for a Japanese top-flight club. J1 League side Cerezo Osaka, currently eighth in the standings, today announced that they have signed the 28-year-old defender. 'Cools will bolster the squad as Cerezo Osaka prepare for the second half of the season,' said the club in a Facebook post. Cerezo Osaka last won major silverware in 2017, when they clinched both the Emperor's Cup and Cup. Cools joins Cerezo Osaka from Thai League side Buriram United, which he helped win multiple domestic titles and last season's Asean Club Championship. While Malaysians Luqman Hakim Shamsudin (YSCC Yokohama), Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak (Fagiano Okayama) and Wan Zack Haikal (FC Ryukyu) have played in Japan, they featured in lower leagues. In a post on X, said Cools has proven himself both at Buriram and with Harimau Malaya. 'Welcome to the To all our fans in Malaysia – don't miss this exciting new chapter in Japan!' it said.
The Sun
18 hours ago
- General
- The Sun
Cools becomes first Malaysian to play in Japan's top league
NATIONAL team centre-back Dion Cools is set to become Malaysia's first-ever player to feature in Japan's top-tier football after completing a permanent move to J1 League side Cerezo Osaka from Thai League 1 champions Buriram United. Cerezo Osaka in a statement said the 29-year-old Harimau Malaya defender will join the squad after fulfilling his national team duties as Malaysia prepare to face Vietnam in their second Group F match of the 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers next Tuesday. 'Cerezo Osaka are pleased to announce that Dion Cools has joined the club from Buriram United FC (Thailand) on a permanent deal. 'He has also been selected for the Malaysian national team for the Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers. He will be on international duty starting June 5 and is scheduled to join the club upon the conclusion of his national team commitments,' the club said today. Cools, who previously played in Europe for Belgium's Club Brugge and FC Midtjylland of Denmark, expressed his excitement about embarking on a new chapter with the Japanese J1 League club. 'I'm truly happy to have the opportunity to come to Japan and Osaka, and I'm very grateful for this chance. I'm looking forward to meeting my new teammates, the staff, and all the fans and supporters as soon as possible. 'I will give my all to help the team win as many games as possible and achieve our goals. Thank you for your support,' said the heritage player. Cools has helped Buriram United secure multiple domestic titles as well as the 2024/2025 ASEAN Club Championship since joining the Thunder Castle squad in January 2023. Meanwhile, the official Harimau Malaya page, Malaysia NT, congratulated Dion Cools on becoming the first Malaysian to play in Asia's top league with Cerezo Osaka.
New Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Business
- New Straits Times
Cools joins J1 League's Cerezo in historic transfer
KUALA LUMPUR: National captain Dion Cools has made history by becoming the first Malaysian footballer to sign for a Japanese top-flight club. The 28-year-old defender, who is of Belgian-Malaysian descent, has joined J1 League side Cerezo Osaka as a mid-season signing. The deal was announced on Wednesday, though the terms remain undisclosed. Cerezo Osaka, currently eighth in the standings, last won major domestic silverware in 2017, lifting both the Emperor's Cup and J. League Cup. "We have signed Malaysian defender Dion Cools," the club announced on social media. "It is a historic milestone, given that Malaysian exports to Japan have only featured in the lower divisions." Indeed, Cools becomes the first Malaysian to feature in Japan's top tier, whereas previous exports like Luqman Hakim Shamsudin (YSCC Yokohama), Hadi Fayyadh Abdul Razak (Fagiano Okayama, Azul Claro Numazu), and Wan Zack Haikal (FC Ryukyu) only played in the lower leagues. Prior to this move, Cools starred in the Thai League with Buriram United, helping them win multiple domestic titles and the Asean Club Championship, while also reaching the quarter-finals of the Asian Champions League Elite. Cools' transfer is being hailed as a major breakthrough for Malaysian football, highlighting the rising profile of local talent in Asian football.
The Star
20 hours ago
- Business
- The Star
Defender Cools is first M'sian to sign with top-flight J.League club
PETALING JAYA: National defender Dion Cools has become the first Malaysian to sign with a J1 League club. Cools, who turns 29 today (Wednesday, June 4), will join Cerezo Osaka from Thai club Buriram United. "Dion Cools will bolster the squad as Cerezo Osaka prepare for the second half of the season," said a statement from the club. Cools' addition would be much needed as Cerezo have conceded 26 goals in 20 matches. The Sakuras are currently eighth in the league with 29 points, just five points away from the top three spots. Other Malaysians have played in the but plied their trades at J2 and J3 (second and third division) sides. The last Malaysians before Cools to play in Japan were striker Luqman Hakim Shamsudin, who played for YSSC Yokohama, and midfielder Muhammad Abu Khalil for FC Osaka, both J3 clubs.
