Some might say that trust and loyalty are dead in the realm of the beautiful game. We don’t blame them. Many clubs hand out one-year and two-year deals to players. However, at Tampines Rovers, we dare to challenge the status quo.
As such, we have taken an unprecedented step - the first of many to come.
We are delighted to announce that our talismanic midfielder, Kyoga Nakamura extends his tenure with Tampines Rovers and is set to be a Stag for the next half-decade after penning a 5-year contract. This deal would see him remain a Tampines Rovers player till December 2026. If the past two years are anything to go by, we can only expect more moments of brilliance in the years to follow.
Yet, to understand the maverick of a player that he is today, we need to understand Kyoga’s past. Kyoga refined his football skills at JEF Chiba United’s youth team and whilst there, was called up to represent Japan at the 2013 U-17 World Cup. After loan stints with various J3 outfits, Kyoga would arrive in sunny Singapore and turn out for Albirex Niigata (S). As captain of the White Swans and their primary catalyst in attack, Kyoga would notch 7 goals and 8 assists in the 2019 campaign. Realizing his immense talent and potential, we swiftly swooped in to acquire his services for the 2020 season. While he had a host of offers from other clubs, Kyoga trusted our system as much as we trusted in his ability.
Since joining us two years ago, the midfield maestro has established himself as a favourite amongst fans and players alike and it’s not hard to understand why.
“Kyoga has been exemplary both on and off the pitch since he joined the club in 2020,” mentions our Head Coach, Gavin Lee. “He is a model professional and is an excellent role model to every player in the team. Kyoga constantly demands more from himself and is never easily satisfied, those are key attributes that we will need to achieve success again.”
For Kyoga, this five-year deal is a dream come true. Tampines and Singapore has been his home for the past two years and he feels blessed being able to call it home for several more years.
“Why did I sign a five year deal with the club? Well the answer is simple - I love this great club! Tampines has been my club for the past two years and Singapore has been my home for the last three. It is a real honour to be presented with such an opportunity and I am overjoyed to commit my future to Tampines for the next five years.”
Gavin has the utmost faith in Kyoga’s ability and believes that his best is yet to come. According to him, the 25-year-old will be a central pillar for the Stags in the upcoming seasons.
“His self driven nature since day one has assured us that he is constantly looking to improve,” Gavin added. “ We hope to have more like-minded individuals to help us achieve the high-performance culture that we desire.”
Kyoga echoes these sentiments and aims to work hard for the Stags and grow together with the team.
“Of course, I want Tampines Rovers to become league champions again. This is a club with a rich history and I want to create new moments in that history with my teammates. I have already started the process for applying for my Permanent Residency and I want to leave my mark in Singapore!”
Welcome home, Kyoga Nakamura!