Q. Please tell us the background behind your decision to transfer.
A. I transferred to the Urawa Reds this season, but I continued to have periods where I couldn't participate in matches. The main reason for my decision was that I was seeking playing opportunities. Among the teams, FC Tokyo was the one that wanted me and needed me, so I decided to transfer. As a professional soccer player, if I can't play in matches, changing my environment is one option I considered, and it was an immediate decision.
Q. When did you receive the offer?
A. I think it has been less than a week since I received the official offer. I myself made an immediate decision after receiving the offer. It feels like things officially started moving in June.
Q. In Tokyo, there are Takahiro KO, who was your teammate during your time at Albirex Niigata, and Rikizo MATSUHASHI, the coach. Did you have any communication with them regarding your transfer?
A. I talked and consulted about various things. When deciding on the transfer, whether Coach Matsuhashi and player Takahiro were there or not might have changed my decision. Their presence was that significant. Also, since Tsubasa TERAYAMA was one year behind me at Juntendo University and we played together, I plan to rely on him for various support.
Q. How did you honestly feel when the coach, who fought alongside you for one and a half seasons, spoke to you?
A. I was honestly happy. Even though we were competing on different teams this season, I was surprised and pleased to be wanted because Tokyo needed me.
Q. Similarly, many members of the coaching staff also fought together during the Niigata era.
A. After going through the warm-up with Physical Coach Tsutomu Yasuno, I felt a bit nostalgic.
Q. Nagakura himself also gives the impression of steadily stepping up from the regional league.
A. I have always had the desire to become a professional after graduating from university. Step by step, I have worked my way up through the categories, playing with the single-minded determination that I would “definitely become a professional,” no matter how many years it took. I believe I have been able to come this far thanks in part to some luck, as well as Tsuyoshi OTSUKI, who coached me during my time with the Urawa Reds Youth and was the manager of Thespakusatsu Gunma at the time, reaching out to me.
Q. Is there any reason why you chose the jersey number '26'?
A. I wore number 28 during my time in Gunma and number 27 in Niigata. Since those were consecutive numbers, I thought it would be nice to continue the sequence, so I intuitively chose number 26.
Q. Please tell us the characteristics of your play.
A. I definitely want you to watch my off-the-ball positioning and the tactical maneuvers. I think fans and supporters tend to focus on the player with the ball (laughs). If you have some spare attention while watching the game, please keep an eye on that.
Q. Please tell us your impression when you played against Tokyo in the past.
A. I especially felt that the style of soccer changed this season. With Coach Matsuhashi, I have the impression that the team plays a style that emphasizes possession and individual skills. It was the same when we faced each other in May, but I always felt it was difficult when matched up against Masato MORISHIGE. We faced off many times, and I think he is a player who symbolizes Tokyo. The strong impression is that "FC Tokyo = MORISHIGE."
Q. How would you like to be called by fans and supporters?
A. I haven't had a nickname until now, so Motoki, Nagakura, or anything is fine (laughs).
Q. If you were to introduce your personal side, what kind of personality do you have?
A. I’m quite shy around new people (laughs). However, when people think I’m very quiet, they often say, "You’re actually quite talkative," which I hear a lot.
Q. Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for the second half of the league.
A. In order to participate in matches, I want to start by training with high intensity. When I get the chance to play, I will do my best to deliver results and contribute to victory. I appreciate your support.
