Former Japan star Keisuke Honda has decided to return to the field after signing for Singaporean top team FC Jurong, the forward announced on social media.
Honda has represented Japan in three FIFA World Cups, earning more than 90 caps and winning the 2011 AFC Asian Cup, where he was also the Player of the Tournament. He retired from international football after Japan’s exit from the 2018 World Cup.
However, he has continued to play club football around the world and last played for Bhutan’s premier league side Paro FC in 2024.
Jurong, formerly known as Albirex Niigata Singapore, announced the signing in a statement on Friday.
«This agreement goes beyond the signing of a single player; it aims to create new value for the club together and contribute to the further development of Singapore’s football community as a whole,» the club said in a statement.
Singapore will be the eleventh professional league he will play in, with the player previously playing in Italy (AC Milan), Mexico (Pachuca) and Brazil (Botafogo).
“As I turn 40 this year, I am pursuing several personal challenges, including setting a Guinness World Record for scoring in the top competitions of the most countries,” Honda said in a press release.
“My main goal at this club, however, is to win the league title. There are some very strong rivals so it will be a tough challenge, but I am determined to achieve it.”
Six-time Singapore Premier League winners FC Jurong are currently third in the standings behind Lion City Sailors and Tampines Rovers.
Published on April 11, 2026
