Yasutaka Yanagi 柳 育崇

Yasutaka Yanagi (柳 育崇, Yanagi Yasutaka, born June 22, 1994) is a Japanese footballer. He is a defensive midfielder who plays for J2 League side Tochigi SC.

Club Career

Albirex Niigata Singapore FC

Yanagi signed his first professional contract with Albirex Niigata Singapore FC, a satellite team of J.League side Albirex Niigata, playing in the top tier of football in Singapore, the S.League.

Yanagi's stellar performances for the White Swans earned him a spot in the Singapore Selection side that took on Selangor FA in the annual Sultan of Selangor's Cup.

During the September international break, he was selected to participate in a week-long training stint with his parent club. He traveled to Niigata prefecture with club captain Shuto Inaba and the duo trained with the first team, playing in a training match against Iwaki FC, a non-J League team.

He played a total of 22 league games for the White Swans and scored 2 goals as they claimed the quadruple for the second consecutive year. His importance for the team is highlighted in the fact that he White Swans’ only two losses came when he was not on the field.

Albirex Niigata

Following his stellar performances for the White Swans' satellite club, Yanaga was given a chance to prove himself and has joined the White Swans' parent club for the upcoming J-League Two season.