Announcement: Keigo HIGASHI to Retire from Professional Football
We are pleased to announce that Keigo HIGASHI, whose contract expired at the conclusion of the Meiji Yasuda J.League 100 Year Vision League, has decided to retire from professional football.
We are also pleased to announce that a ceremony will be held after the match against Kyoto Sanga F.C. in Sec. 6 of the 2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League on Sunday, September 6 (kickoff at 7:30 p.m. at Ajinomoto Stadium).
In addition, Keigo HIGASHI has been appointed as an "Academy Transition Coach" at Oita Trinita.
Notice of Keigo HIGASHI's retirement ceremony and merchandise sales for the Kyoto match on September 6 (Sun)
Keigo HIGASHI Profile
□Position: MF
□Date of Birth: July 20, 1990
□Place of Birth: Fukuoka Prefecture
□Height/Weight: 178cm/72kg
□Career
2006-2008 Oita Trinita U-18
2009-2010 Oita Trinita
2011-2012 Omiya Ardija
2013-2026 Special Designated Player, FC Tokyo
└2020 J.League YBC Levain Cup Champions
□International Career
2006 Japan U-16 national team
2010 Japan U-21 national team (Champions, 16th Asian Games)
2011 Japan U-22 national team, Japan national team
2012 Japan U-23 national team (London Olympics, 4th place)
2013 Japan national team
Match Records
Total appearances for FC Tokyo: 431 matches Total goals for FC Tokyo: 25
Player Higashi's Comment
“I have decided to bring my career as a professional footballer to a close.
I am truly grateful to the partners, fans, and supporters of Oita Trinita, Omiya Ardija, and FC Tokyo, who supported my career. Thank you very much.
After it was decided that I would leave FC Tokyo, I received offers from various teams.
I thought long and hard about it.
As I considered how I wanted to shape my career going forward, I came to the conclusion that I wanted to become a coach and pass on the experiences I have gained to the next generation.
FC Tokyo also offered me a coaching position, saying, “We would like to work with you again,” but I decided to begin my coaching career at Oita Trinita, the club that developed me.
I will grow step by step in my own way, with the goal of becoming a manager someday.
For everyone who has supported me, I will continue to work hard every day toward that goal!
Thank you so much for the past 18 years!
Please continue to support Keigo HIGASHI!
See you at Ajinomoto Stadium on September 6!”
