David Wyatt-Hupton
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davidwh.bsky.social
David Wyatt-Hupton
@davidwh.bsky.social
Mainly here to talk about J-League. Posting the latest news & rumours. I love Japanese football ⚽

Work for DAZN on J-League, NPB, NFL, Serie A, La Liga.

Vissel Kobe. Sumo. Tokyo Yakult Swallows.

Jets. Mets. Rangers. Norwich City.
Vissel Kobe revealed their 2026 home and away kits. I'm never a massive fan of vertical stripes personally and really don't like the colour of the away kit, but we've had worse. #VisselKobe
January 13, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Yuto Ozeki is one of the most talented young footballers in Asia. Really can't wait to see him develop, scored today for Japan against the UAE in the U23 Asian Cup and after his loan spell at Fukushima United in 2024, and then playing 25 times in J1 last year, future is extremely bright.
January 10, 2026 at 12:53 PM
I'm not sure if this a popular or unpopular opinion, but I actually loved the way they ended Stranger Things. You're never going to please 100% of the people, but the main arc was tidy in the ending. Looking forward to the animated series now. #StrangerThings
a young boy wearing a hat and a jacket is asking do you wanna watch stranger things .
ALT: a young boy wearing a hat and a jacket is asking do you wanna watch stranger things .
media.tenor.com
January 8, 2026 at 9:21 AM
I saw a report linking Taisei Miyashiro with a transfer to Norwich City (my hometown team)...then I looked at the author of the report and it being someone with no credibility at all, and now I feel deflated. There is no move I'd love more than that one for him and for us. #NCFC
January 3, 2026 at 4:32 PM
Great 4 nights in Copenhagen 🇩🇰
What did I miss?
Need to get back into the transfer talk tomorrow.
January 2, 2026 at 4:28 PM
According to Sponichi Annex, Spanish side Las Palmas have already made a formal offer for Kobe forward Taisei Miyashiro. As someone who works a lot of Spanish football, he'd clean up in the Segunda Division, but he's better than that. English Championship would be a good destination.
December 28, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Kawasaki have a new defender in Reon Yamahara, signed on a permanent deal from Shimizu (Official). Was named in the J2 League Best XI during the promotion season of 2024, and it gives me a reason to re-post this free-kick against Cerezo in June. #Frontale #J1 #Shimizu
December 22, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Koya Yuruki apparently leaving Kobe for Kashiwa.

As a Kobe fan I can't say I'm that sad about it, wrong side of 30 now, played mostly as a substitute last year. We need plenty of change in the squad this year and plenty of fringe players will likely move on. #J1
December 21, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Reports in Japan are suggesting that Hiroshima have beaten out 5 other clubs to the signing of Shonan captain Akito Suzuki. The 22-year-old wants to test himself before moving to Europe apparently. 9 goals, 4 assists last year, he's top class. Would have loved him at Kobe #J1
December 21, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Fūki Yamada is heading back to Japan after a disappointing loan in Portugal with Nacional. According to reports in Japan, FC Tokyo are signing him on a permanent deal from Kyoto Sanga. Last time we saw him in J1 it was with FC's bitter rivals Tokyo Verdy. Not sure what Park Il-gyu is doing here 😂
December 20, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Jets are rightfully linked to Mendoza. But what if the Raiders take Mendoza before the Jets get a chance and they don't love anyonre else at the top of the draft? Introducing Darian Mensah, an option the Jets should explore. #TJW #Jetup

jetsway.substack.com/p/introducin...
Introducing Darian Mensah
Edition #994: My dark horse for the Jets is now very much in the limelight as Mensah considers entering the draft.
jetsway.substack.com
December 18, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Asahi Uenaka is leaving Yokohama FM for Gamba Osaka. 8 goals and 4 assists in J1 last season despite all the upheaval at YFM. Actually think this is an outstanding signing for Gamba and still only 24, he's probably going to get even better. Would have liked Uenaka at Kobe.
December 18, 2025 at 12:49 PM
After a very short absence Mihailo Petrović is back in J1, this time as manager of Nagoya. Last seen getting Sapporo relegated at the end of the 2024 season. He does have plenty of J1 experience, not just with Sapporo but with Urawa and Sanfrecce, was J-League manager of the year back in 2018. #J1
December 18, 2025 at 12:44 PM
JEF have a new signing in the form of Takushoku University forward Takumi Matsumura (younger brother of Kashima's Yuta) - Was the leading goal scorer and assister in Kanto University Soccer League Division 2 this year. Quite looking forward to seeing him next season. #J1
December 18, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Riku Matsuda has made a permanent transfer away from Kobe to BG Pathum United F.C in Thailand. At 34 this is probably the right move for him, never got going at Kobe after his move from Gamba Osaka, only appeared in 2 games in J1 last season. He'll do a job in that league though. #J1 #ヴィッセル神戸
December 18, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Following Steve Wilks firing I'm taking a look at a potential DC candidate in Jim Leonhard. Also focusing on the clear potential of Brady Cook and that TD drive in Jacksonville. Lots of notes, including two QBs who have decided to return to college for 2026. #NYJ

open.substack.com/pub/jetsway/...
DC Candidate: Jim Leonhard
Edition #993: The Jets are looking for a new defensive coordinator, could an old friend be in line for a return?
open.substack.com
December 17, 2025 at 10:40 AM
Kawasaki have confirmed the signing of Kazuya Konno (紺野 和也) from Avispa on a permanent deal. Scored 3 goals in 36 appearances for Fukuoka in J1 last season, although he somehow didn't register a single assist despite creating 49 chances (2nd highest on the team). Decent signing for Frontale. #J1
December 17, 2025 at 9:05 AM
There will also be a new award for the short season, the Kamamoto Kunishige Award, given to the top goal scorer in the regional and playoff rounds combined, regardless of whether they are in the J1, J2, or J3 league. To honour arguably Japan's best ever player who died in August of this year.
December 15, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Meiji Yasuda J.League Century Vision League
Group Draw Results Announced!
December 15, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Kawasaki made the signing of Svend Brodersen from Okayama official today. "I hope to work with the other goalkeepers and defensemen to turn Todoroki into an invincible fortress" - Super signing for Frontale. #J1
December 15, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Such a good read on Rami-chan and the influence of both Tsutomu Wakamatsu and Charlie Manuel. This is just the first in a series, so make sure you head over and subscribe for all the others. Great stuff Thomas.
The first of many to come! Japan voted for its favorite retired baseball players. Number 20 is former Swallows, Giants, and BayStars star Alex Ramirez.

#baseball #npb #japan

thomasloveseagull.substack.com/p/japans-fav...
Japan's Favorite Players: No. 20, Alex Ramirez
The only foreign player to record 2,000 hits in NPB
thomasloveseagull.substack.com
December 15, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I think Kashiwa signing Tomoaki Ōkubo from Urawa is a very decent signing for Reysol. 16 appearances in J1 last season and plenty of talent, still only 27 so still plenty of time to continue developing that end product, which has been missing recently.
December 15, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Known about this for a while now, but it was made official today and I'm incredibly proud that DAZN is going to be playing a big role in the All-Star. Loads more details to come, but it's a great initiative which puts the choice in the hands of fans. #J1

www.dazn.com/ja-JP/news/%...
December 15, 2025 at 12:33 PM
"I am extremely honored and delighted to be appointed as the manager of Vissel Kobe. Let's once again aim to make the team the best in Japan." - Michael Skibbe on becoming the new manager of Vissel Kobe #J1 #Kobe #ヴィッセル神戸
December 14, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Don't think I saw this one coming.

Vissel Kobe have announced they've hired Michael Skibbe from Sanfrecce Hiroshima as their new manager following Takayuki Yoshida's exit. Skibbe has managed some of the best clubs in football (Dortmund, Frankfurt, Galatasaray). Great hire for Kobe. #J1
December 14, 2025 at 2:36 PM