Cerezo Osaka

Cerezo Osaka(セレッソ大阪, Seresso Ōsaka) is a Japanese professional football club based in Osaka. The club currently plays in the J1 League, which is the top tier of football in the country. The club's name (Spanish: Cerezo, lit.'cherry blossom') also represents the flower of the city of Osaka. The official hometowns of the club are Osaka and Sakai. There exists a local rivalry with Suita-based Gamba Osaka.

Cerezo have won 4 Emperor's Cup, 1 J.League Cup and 2 Japanese Super Cup titles in the club history.

History

Beginnings (1957–1992)

The club, originally called Yanmar Diesel, started in 1957 as the company team of Yanmar and was an original founder ("Original Eight") of the now-disbanded Japan Soccer League (JSL) in 1965.

With four Japanese league titles to its credit, it was a mainstay of the JSL Division 1 until 1990 when it was first relegated, and joined the former Japan Football League (JFL) in 1992. Yanmar Diesel enjoyed considerable success during the 1960s and 1970s, winning multiple league titles.

Privatised and registered under a new name (1993– present )

With the establishment of the professional J.League in 1993, the club initially did not join the new top division. In 1994, the team was restructured and rebranded as Cerezo Osaka, adopting its current identity and representing the city of Osaka after a public contest..

In 1994, they won the Japan Football League championship and was promoted to the J1 League in 1995. This also coincided with a run to the finals of the Emperor's Cup, which they lost to Bellmare Hiratsuka.

Cerezo joined the J1 League in 1995, beginning in the top division. The club quickly established itself as a competitive side and finished as runners-up in the 2000 and 2005 J1 League seasons, narrowly missing out on the title on both occasions. During this period, Cerezo became known for developing talented players, including several who would go on to represent the Japan national team. Despite their strong performances, the club was unable to secure a major trophy, contributing to a reputation for near misses.

Relegation and fluctuations (2006–2016)

Following their near-title success in 2005, Cerezo experienced a period of instability. The club was relegated from the J1 League in 2006, marking the beginning of a cycle of promotion and relegation between the top two divisions. Despite these challenges, Cerezo continued to produce notable talents, including future global superstar, Shinji Kagawa, who emerged from the club’s youth system and later achieved success in Europe. The club also had spells of strong performance upon returning to J1, but consistency remained an issue.

Taste of silverware (2017–2018)

A major turning point came in 2017 when Cerezo achieved the most successful season in its history. The club won both won the 2017 J.League Cup, and the 2017 Emperor's Cup, securing their first major domestic trophies. On 4 November 2017, Cerezo won their thefirst major title in their club history, defeating Kawasaki Frontale 2–0 in the J.League Cup final. On 1 January 2018, Cerezo won the 2017 Emperor's Cup, securing their second major title. The final match was against Yokohama F. Marinos, where Cerezo won 2–1 in extra time with Kota Mizunuma scoring the winner.

The success continued in 2018 where on 10 February 2018, Cerezo won the 2018 Japanese Super Cup winning 3–2 against Kawasaki Frontale, further establishing themselves as a competitive force in domestic football. In May 2018, the club changed its incorporated name from Osaka Football Club Co., Ltd. to Cerezo Osaka Co., Ltd.

Stabilisation in the top flight (2019–2024)

Following their cup successes, Cerezo Osaka entered a period of relative stability in the J1 League. The club consistently finished in mid- to upper-table positions and remained competitive in domestic competitions. Cerezo continued to focus on youth development and attacking football, while also integrating experienced players into the squad. Although they did not add further major trophies during this period, the club maintained its reputation as a well-run and competitive side within Japanese football.

In 2022, the club got close to winning the J.League Cup for their second title, but blew a 1–0 lead to Sanfrecce Hiroshima in injury time after Hiroshima player Pieros Sotiriou scored two goals in the 96th and 101st minutes of the match to give the opponent the J.League Cup.

On 1 February 2023, Cerezo signed their boyhood academy player and former Borussia Dortmund and Manchester United player, Shinji Kagawa on a two-years contract.

Continued competitiveness (2025–present)

In 2025, Cerezo remained an established club in the J1 League, competing regularly in the top half of the table. The team continued to develop young talents while maintaining a balanced squad capable of challenging stronger opponents.

Although a league title remained elusive, Cerezo consistent performances and emphasis on player development ensured their continued relevance in Japanese football. The club also remained competitive in domestic cup competitions, aiming to replicate the successes achieved in 2017.

Team image

Mascots

The club's mascots are a wolf named Lobby (from Spanish lobo, meaning wolf) and Madame Lobina, Lobby's mother.

On February 22, 2020, host and TV personality Roland was appointed Cerezo's "Official CereMan".

Rivalries

Cerezo's biggest rival is fellow Osaka club Gamba Osaka. The matches played between Cerezo and Gamba are referred to as the Osaka derby.

In popular culture

In the manga series Captain Tsubasa, a character named Teppei Kisugi becomes a professional football player and joins Cerezo Osaka.

Stadium

The hometowns of the club are Osaka and Sakai. Yodoko Sakura Stadium, is the home ground of Cerezo Osaka. Located within Nagai Park in Osaka, the stadium has served as the club’s primary venue since its opening in 1987. It has a seating capacity of approximately 24,481 spectators and is designed specifically for football, providing an intimate atmosphere with stands close to the pitch.

The stadium was extensively renovated between 2019 and 2021 to modernise its facilities and enhance the matchday experience. In addition to league matches in the J1 League, the stadium has hosted fixtures in domestic cup competitions such as the Emperor's Cup and the J.League Cup. Its football-specific design and modern facilities have made it one of the prominent venues in Japanese club football.

Cerezo Osaka has also occasionally used the nearby Nagai Stadium for matches requiring a larger capacity, particularly during high-profile fixtures, such as derby matches and cup ties.

Training ground

The club practices at Minami Tsumori Sakura Sports Park, Maishima Sports Island, and Amagasaki Yanmar Diesel Ground.

Kit suppliers and shirt sponsors

Cerezo's club colour is pink, like the cherry blossoms that the club's name is based on. Combination colours have been navy blue and black. This year, the uniform colour is pink (home) and white (away) for the outfield players and black (home), pink (away) and green for the goalkeepers.

During the Yanmar Diesel days in the late 1970s to mid-1980s, the uniform was all-red reminiscent Mexican club Deportivo Toluca.

Sponsors

Kit evolution

Affiliated clubs

• Thailand BG Pathum United (March 2012–present)
• Germany Borussia Dortmund (January 2026–present)

Players

First-team squad

As of 27 February 2026.

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

Management and staff

Club officials for 2025.

Honours

As both Yanmar Diesel (1957–1993) and Cerezo Osaka (1993–present)

Records and statistics

As of 18 March 2026.

• Biggest wins: 11–0 vs Ventforet Kofu (22 May1994)
• Heaviest defeats: 0–11 vs Sanfrecce Hiroshima (7 November 1965)
• Youngest ever debutant: Yoichiro Kakitani ~ 16 years 10 months 23 days old (On 26 November 2006 vs Omiya Ardija)
• Oldest ever player: Yoshito Ōkubo ~ 39 years 6 months 3 days old (On 12 December 2021 vs Urawa Red Diamonds)
• Youngest goal scorers: Yoichiro Kakitani ~ 17 years 3 months 25 days old (On 28 April 2007 vs Thespa Gunma)
• Oldest goal scorers: Yoshito Ōkubo ~ 39 years 2 months 30 days old (On 8 September 2021 vs Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo)

Award winners

As of the end of the 2025 season.

• J.League Top Scorer:

South Korea Hwang Sun-hong (1999)

• J.League Best XI

Japan Hiroaki Morishima (1995, 2000) Japan Akinori Nishizawa (2000) Japan Motohiro Yoshida (2005) Japan Tatsuya Furuhashi (2005) Japan Hiroshi Kiyotake (2006) Japan Yoichiro Kakitani (2013) Japan Hotaru Yamaguchi (2013, 2017) Japan Kenyu Sugimoto (2017) Japan Seiya Maikuma (2023)

• J.League Best Young Player:

Japan Takumi Minamino (2013) Japan Ayumu Seko (2020)

• Individual Fair Play Award: Japan Yoichiro Kakitani (2013, 2017)

• J.League Goal of the Year:

Japan Yoichiro Kakitani against Kashima Antlers (30 November 2013)

• J.League Manager of the Year:

South Korea Yoon Jong-hwan (2017)

• J2 League Top Scorer: Japan Shinji Kagawa (2009)

Managerial history

Season by season record

Key

• Pos. = Position in league; P = Games played; W = Games won; D = Games drawn; L = Games lost; F = Goals scored; A = Goals conceded; GD = Goals difference; Pts = Points gained
• Attendance/G = Average league home attendance
• † 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced due to COVID-19 worldwide pandemic
• Source:

Continental record

As of 24 June 2021

League history

• Japan Soccer League Division 1: 1965–1990 (as Yanmar Diesel)
• Japan Soccer League Division 2: 1991 (as Yanmar Diesel)
• Japan Football League Division 1: 1992–94 (as Yanmar Diesel until 1993; Cerezo Osaka since 1994)
• J1 League: 1995–2001
• J2 League: 2002
• J1 League: 2003–2006
• J2 League: 2007–2009
• J1 League: 2010–2014
• J2 League: 2015–2016
• J1 League: 2017–present

Notes

External links

• (in English)
• (in Japanese)