Kagoshima United FC

Japanese football club

Football club

Kagoshima United
鹿児島ユナイテッド

Full name| Kagoshima United Football Club
Nickname(s)| Yokanise Eleven
よかにせイレブン
Founded| 1959; 66 years ago (1959) as Volca Kagoshima
1994; 31 years ago (1994) as FC Kagoshima
2014; 11 years ago (2014) as Kagoshima United
Stadium| Shiranami Stadium
Kagoshima
Capacity| 19,934
Chairman| Tsuyoshi Tokushige, Kenichiro Yuwaki (co-owners)
Manager| Naoki Soma
League| J3 League
2024| J2 League, 19th of 20 (relegated)
Website| kufc.co.jp

Home colours

Away colours

|

Current season

Kagoshima United FC (鹿児島ユナイテッドFC, Kagoshima Yunaiteddo Efushī) is a Japanese professional football club based in Kagoshima, Capital of Kagoshima Prefecture, Japan. That was formed from the merger of Volca Kagoshima and FC Kagoshima. Both clubs played in the Kyushu Soccer League before the merger. Their top team is set to play in the J3 League from 2025, Japanese third tier of professional league football after relegation from J2 in 2024. Their secondary team plays in the Kagoshima Prefectural League as Kagoshima United FC SECOND.

## History

[edit]

### Origins (1959–2013)

[edit]

Volca Kagoshima was established in 1959 as Kagoshima Teachers' Soccer Club. The club was a founding member of the Kyushu Soccer League in 1973. Since the league's inception, the club had always played in this league and never be relegated to the Prefectural Leagues until the merge with FC Kagoshima in 2014. They advanced to the Regional League promotion series five times, but never succeeded to promote to the upper tier, Japan Football League, known as the highest level for amateur club football in the country. The club changed the name from Kagoshima Teachers to Volca Kagoshima in 1995.

FC Kagoshima was established in 1994 as an affiliated club of the National Institute of Fitness and Sports in Kanoya. They were promoted to the Kyushu Soccer League as early as 2004 and changed the name to Osumi NIFS United FC.

Both of Volca and NIFS have been seeking the way to promote to the JFL separately. The idea of a merged club of Volca and FC Kagoshima (renamed from NIFS in 2010) had been discussed by the Kagoshima Prefectural Football Association as early as 2012, however, it was failed to reach an agreement at that time. Although Volca and FC Kagoshima had applied for J.League Associate Membership separately, both sides restarted their talk about the merger, then finally agreed with merging their clubs to aim promotion to the J.League, in response of the advisory by the J.League organization. As both clubs had advanced to the final round of the Regional League promotion series in 2013, the merged club earned the promotion to the JFL of 2014.

### Kagoshima United (2014–)

[edit]

The two clubs, Volca Kagoshima and FC Kagoshima, were merged in 2014 to form Kagoshima United. In November 2015, after finishing promotion zone in 2015, they received J.League license to participate in the J3 League.[1]

In 2018, Kagoshima United was promoted to the J2 League for the first time in history from 2019 after five years at the J3.

In 2019, Kagoshima United was instantly relegated back to the J3, after a 21st-place finish in their J3 debut season.

On 2 December 2023, Kagoshima United secure promotion to J2 League from 2024 after draw against Gainare Tottori 1–1 and back to second tier after 4 years since 2019.

On 27 October 2024, Kagoshima United officially relegated to J3 League after defeat from V-Varen Nagasaki 4-1 and ending one year in second tier.

## Rivalries

[edit]

The traditional rival of Kagoshima United is Roasso Kumamoto, the prefectural neighbours and former Kyushu Soccer League fellows since 1983 until 2005, except 2001–2002. Matches between the two clubs are labelled Hisatsu derby (肥薩ダービー, "Kumamoto-Kagoshima derby") and generate a lot of interest in both prefectures.

## League & cup record

[edit]

Champions | Runners-up | Third place | Promoted | Relegated

|
|
|
|

League  | J. League Cup | Emperor's Cup

|
|

Season | Div. | Teams | Tier | Pos. | P | W | D | L | F | A | GD | Pts | Attendance/G
As Kagoshima United
2014 | JFL | 14 | 4 | 3rd | 26 | 18 | 3 | 5 | 45 | 19 | 26 | 57 | 1,825 | Not eligible | 2nd round
2015 | 16 | 3rd | 30 | 18 | 6 | 6 | 46 | 25 | 21 | 60 | 2,624 | 1st round
2016 | J3 | 16 | 3 | 5th | 30 | 15 | 5 | 10 | 39 | 29 | 10 | 50 | 3,665 | 1st round
2017 | 17 | 4th | 32 | 17 | 4 | 11 | 49 | 37 | 12 | 55 | 3,508 | 2nd round
2018 | 17 | 2nd | 32 | 16 | 9 | 7 | 46 | 35 | 11 | 57 | 4,040 | 2nd round
2019 | J2 | 22 | 2 | 21st | 42 | 11 | 7 | 24 | 41 | 73 | -32 | 40 | 5,783 | 2nd round
2020 † | J3 | 18 | 3 | 4th | 34 | 18 | 4 | 12 | 55 | 43 | 12 | 58 | 2,214 | Did not qualify
2021 † | 15 | 7th | 28 | 11 | 7 | 10 | 34 | 35 | -1 | 40 | 3,737 | 2nd round
2022 | 18 | 3rd | 34 | 21 | 3 | 10 | 55 | 39 | 16 | 66 | 4,740 | 2nd round
2023 | 20 | 2nd | 38 | 18 | 8 | 12 | 58 | 41 | 17 | 62 | 5,567 | 1st round
2024 | J2 | 20 | 2 | 19th | 38 | 7 | 9 | 22 | 35 | 59 | -24 | 30 | 6,596 | 2nd round | 2nd round
2025 | J3 | 20 | 3 | TBD | 38 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1st round | 2nd round

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 home league attendance
* † 2020 & 2021 seasons attendances reduced by COVID-19 worldwide pandemic
* Source: J.League Data Site

## Honours

[edit]

Volca Kagoshima (1959–2013) FC Kagoshima (1994–2013) Kagoshima United (2014–)

Kagoshima United FC honours  Honour | No. | Years

|
|

Kyushu Soccer League | 4  | 1974, 1986, 2012, 2013
Kagoshima Prefectural Football Championship
and Emperor's Cup Kagoshima Prefectural Qualifiers  | 9  | 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018,
2021, 2022, 2023, 2025

## League history

[edit]

* Regional (Kyushu): 1973–2013
* Division 4 (JFL): 2014–2015
* Division 3 (J3): 2016–2018
* Division 2 (J2): 2019
* Division 3 (J3): 2020–2023
* Division 2 (J2): 2024
* Division 3 (J3): 2025–

## Current squad

[edit]

As of 24 July 2025.[2] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules; some limited exceptions apply. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

1  | GK |  JPN | Eisuke Fujishima
3  | DF |  JPN | Hayate Sugii
4  | DF |  JPN | Kenta Hirose
5  | MF |  BRA | João Gaudêncio (on loan from Concórdia)
6  | MF |  JPN | Eisuke Watanabe
7  | MF |  JPN | Kazuki Chibu
8  | MF |  JPN | Keita Fujimura
9  | FW |  BRA | Rodrigo Angelotti
10  | FW |  JPN | Seiya Take
11  | FW |  JPN | Mikuto Fukuda
13  | FW |  JPN | Yoshihito Kondo (on loan from Iwaki FC)
14  | MF |  JPN | Koju Yoshio (on loan from Fagiano Okayama)
15  | MF |  JPN | Kazuaki Ihori
16  | GK |  JPN | Kodai Yamauchi (on loan from Ventforet Kofu)
18  | FW |  JPN | Keito Kawamura
19  | DF |  JPN | Shuto Inaba
20  | MF |  JPN | Masayoshi Endo
| No. | Pos. | Nation  | Player

|
|
|

21  | DF |  JPN | Jo Soma (on loan from Montedio Yamagata)
23  | DF |  JPN | Rinshiro Kojima
26  | DF |  JPN | Kosuke Kawashima
27  | MF |  JPN | Takumi Yamaguchi (vice-captain)
28  | DF |  BRA | Renan
29  | DF |  JPN | Makoto Okazaki
31  | GK |  JPN | Takumi Kumakura
33  | MF |  JPN | Rin Yamazaki
34  | DF |  JPN | Tesshin Maruyama Type 2
35  | GK |  JPN | Haruki Okabeppu Type 2
36  | FW |  JPN | Rei Yonezawa (vice-captain)
37  | MF |  JPN | Kaito Kishita Type 2
41  | GK |  JPN | Riku Terakado (on loan from Montedio Yamagata)
44  | DF |  JPN | Yoshitaka Aoki
48  | DF |  JPN | Soshiro Tanida (on loan from JEF United Chiba)
73  | MF |  JPN | Toshiya Tanaka
92  | FW |  JPN | Charles Nduka

## Coaching staff

[edit]

KUFC Coaching staff for 2025.

Position  | Name

|

Manager  | Naoki Soma
Coaches  | Naotsugu Obata
Daisuke Asahi
Naoaki Morinaga
Goalkeeper coach  | Masataka Sasaki
Physical coach  | Yuki Shimizu
Chief trainer  | Tomoaki Mikiya
Trainer  | Ryuki Takee
Sota Watanabe
Interpreter & Chief manager  | Tsuyoshi Tame
General manager  | Sena Abematsu
Suguru Shibahara

## Managerial history

[edit]

Manager | Nationality | Tenure

|
|

Start | Finish
Takeshi Okubo |  Japan | 1 February 2014 | 31 January 2015
Tetsuya Asano |  Japan | 1 January 2015 | 31 December 2016
Yasutoshi Miura |  Japan | 1 January 2017 | 31 January 2019
Kim Jong-song |  North Korea | 1 February 2019 | 31 January 2021
Arthur Papas |  Australia | 1 February 2021 | 28 May 2021
Yasuaki Ōshima |  Japan | 28 May 2021 | 3 July 2021
Nobuhiro Ueno |  Japan | 4 July 2021 | 31 January 2022
Naoto Otake |  Japan | 1 February 2022 | 22 August 2023
Yasuaki Oshima |  Japan | 23 August 2023 | 26 May 2024
Tetsuya Asano |  Japan | 28 May 2024 | present

## Crest and colours

[edit]

The club crest has the illustrations of Sakurajima and Kagoshima Bay, both symbolize Kagoshima Prefecture, on its background design, with red colour, which represents Volca, and light blue colour, represents FC Kagoshima.

## Kit evolution

[edit]

Kagoshima United's club colours are white and navy.

Home kit – 1st

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 -

Away kit – 2nd

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2024

2025 -

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Kagoshima United to join J3". J.League. 19 November 2015. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 9 March 2016.
2. ^ "選手・スタッフ". Kagoshima United FC. Retrieved 12 July 2024.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website (in Japanese)

* v
* t
* e

Kagoshima United FC

Club|

* Players
* History
* All articles

Stadium|

* Shiranami Stadium

Seasons|

* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023

Training ground|

* Fureai Sports Land
* Kokubu Sports Park

Rivalries|

* Baka derby

* v
* t
* e

J.League

Champions (J1 League · J2 League · J3 League) · Records and statistics · Historical goals

Seasons|

| J1 League seasons
(1993–present)|

* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

J2 League seasons
(1999–present)|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

J3 League seasons
(2014–present)|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Clubs|

| J1 League|

* Albirex Niigata
* Avispa Fukuoka
* Cerezo Osaka
* Fagiano Okayama
* Gamba Osaka
* Kashima Antlers
* Kashiwa Reysol
* Kawasaki Frontale
* Kyoto Sanga FC
* FC Machida Zelvia
* Nagoya Grampus
* Sanfrecce Hiroshima
* Shimizu S-Pulse
* Shonan Bellmare
* FC Tokyo
* Tokyo Verdy
* Urawa Red Diamonds
* Vissel Kobe
* Yokohama F. Marinos
* Yokohama FC

|

J2 League|

* Blaublitz Akita
* Ehime FC
* Fujieda MYFC
* Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
* FC Imabari
* Iwaki FC
* JEF United Chiba
* Júbilo Iwata
* Kataller Toyama
* Mito HollyHock
* Montedio Yamagata
* Oita Trinita
* Omiya Ardija
* Renofa Yamaguchi FC
* Roasso Kumamoto
* Sagan Tosu
* Tokushima Vortis
* V-Varen Nagasaki
* Vegalta Sendai
* Ventforet Kofu

J3 League|

* AC Nagano Parceiro
* Azul Claro Numazu
* Fukushima United FC
* Gainare Tottori
* FC Gifu
* Giravanz Kitakyushu
* Kagoshima United FC
* Kamatamare Sanuki
* Kochi United SC
* Matsumoto Yamaga FC
* Nara Club
* FC Osaka
* FC Ryukyu
* SC Sagamihara
* Tegevajaro Miyazaki
* Thespa Gunma
* Tochigi City FC
* Tochigi SC
* Vanraure Hachinohe
* Zweigen Kanazawa

Former|

* YSCC Yokohama
* Yokohama Flügels
* J.League U-22 Selection
* Iwate Grulla Morioka
* FC Tokyo U-23
* Gamba Osaka U-23
* Cerezo Osaka U-23

Players|

* Designated special players (DSP)
* Foreign J.League players

Managers|

* J.League managers
* current

Referees|

* J.League referees

Awards (Monthly MVP · MVP Award · Best XI · Top Scorer · Rookie of the Year · Manager of the Year)

* v
* t
* e

Japanese club football

First-tier club football seasons, 1965–present

| Japan Soccer League
1965–1992
Japan Soccer League Division 1
since 1972|

* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

|

J.League
1993–present
J.League Division 1/J1 League
since 1999|

* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* List of champions
* J.League Championship
* Promotion / Relegation series
* Super Cup

Second-tier club football seasons, 1972–present

| Japan Soccer League Division 2
1972–1992|

* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985–86
* 1986–87
* 1987–88
* 1988–89
* 1989–90
* 1990–91
* 1991–92

|

(former) Japan Football League
1992–1998
(former) Japan Football League Division 1
1992–1993|

* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998

J2 League
1999–present|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

* List of champions
* Promotion / Relegation series

Third-tier club football seasons, 1992–93, 1999–present

| (former) Japan Football League Division 2
1992–93|

* 1992
* 1993

|

* No national third tier, 1994–1998

Japan Football League
1999–2013|

* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013

J3 League
2014–present|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

List of champions

Fourth-tier club football seasons, 2014–present

| Japan Football League
2014–present|

* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

Regional level club football seasons, 1966–present

| Japanese Regional Leagues
1966–present|

* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

* Regional Champions League
* Shakaijin Cup

Emperor's Cup seasons, 1921–present

| Emperor's Cup
1921–present|

* 1921
* 1922
* 1923
* 1924
* 1925
* ~~1926~~
* 1927
* 1928
* 1929
* 1930
* 1931
* 1932
* 1933
* ~~1934~~
* 1935
* 1936
* 1937
* 1938
* 1939
* 1940
* WW II
* 1946
* ~~1947~~
* ~~1948~~
* 1949
* 1950
* 1951
* 1952
* 1953
* 1954
* 1955
* 1956
* 1957
* 1958
* 1959
* 1960
* 1961
* 1962
* 1963
* 1964
* 1965
* 1966
* 1967
* 1968
* 1969
* 1970
* 1971
* 1972
* 1973
* 1974
* 1975
* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991
* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

|

Super Cup

League Cup seasons, 1976–present

| JSL Cup
1976–1991|

* 1976
* 1977
* 1978
* 1979
* 1980
* 1981
* 1982
* 1983
* 1984
* 1985
* 1986
* 1987
* 1988
* 1989
* 1990
* 1991

|

J.League Cup
1992–present|

* 1992
* 1993
* 1994
* 1995
* 1996
* 1997
* 1998
* 1999
* 2000
* 2001
* 2002
* 2003
* 2004
* 2005
* 2006
* 2007
* 2008
* 2009
* 2010
* 2011
* 2012
* 2013
* 2014
* 2015
* 2016
* 2017
* 2018
* 2019
* 2020
* 2021
* 2022
* 2023
* 2024
* 2025

Suruga Bank Championship

Football clubs in Japan, 2025

| J1 League|

* Albirex Niigata
* Avispa Fukuoka
* Cerezo Osaka
* Fagiano Okayama
* Gamba Osaka
* Kashima Antlers
* Kashiwa Reysol
* Kawasaki Frontale
* Kyoto Sanga FC
* FC Machida Zelvia
* Nagoya Grampus
* Sanfrecce Hiroshima
* Shimizu S-Pulse
* Shonan Bellmare
* FC Tokyo
* Tokyo Verdy
* Urawa Red Diamonds
* Vissel Kobe
* Yokohama F. Marinos
* Yokohama FC

|

J2 League|

* Blaublitz Akita
* Ehime FC
* Fujieda MYFC
* Hokkaido Consadole Sapporo
* FC Imabari
* Iwaki FC
* JEF United Chiba
* Júbilo Iwata
* Kataller Toyama
* Mito HollyHock
* Montedio Yamagata
* Oita Trinita
* Omiya Ardija
* Renofa Yamaguchi FC
* Roasso Kumamoto
* Sagan Tosu
* Tokushima Vortis
* V-Varen Nagasaki
* Vegalta Sendai
* Ventforet Kofu

J3 League|

* AC Nagano Parceiro
* Azul Claro Numazu
* FC Gifu
* Fukushima United FC
* Gainare Tottori
* Giravanz Kitakyushu
* Kagoshima United FC
* Kamatamare Sanuki
* Kochi United
* Matsumoto Yamaga FC
* Nara Club
* FC Osaka
* FC Ryukyu
* SC Sagamihara
* Tegevajaro Miyazaki
* Thespa Gunma
* Tochigi City
* Tochigi SC
* Vanraure Hachinohe
* Zweigen Kanazawa

100 Year Plan clubs|

* Criacao Shinjuku
* Nankatsu SC
* Tokyo 23
* Vonds Ichihara

Japan Football League|

* Asuka FC
* Atletico Suzuka Club
* Briobecca Urayasu Ichikawa
* Criacao Shinjuku
* Honda FC
* Iwate Grulla Morioka
* Maruyasu Okazaki
* Minebea Mitsumi
* Okinawa SV
* Reilac Shiga
* ReinMeer Aomori
* FC Tiamo Hirakata
* Veertien Mie
* Verspah Oita
* Yokogawa Musashino
* YSCC Yokohama

Defunct clubs
(clubs belonging to
nationwide leagues only)|

* Sony Sendai
* Fukushima FC
* Arte Takasaki
* JEF Reserves
* Sagawa Express Tokyo
* NKK SC
* Yokohama Flügels
* ALO's Hokuriku
* Jatco SC
* Hagoromo Club
* Toyota Higashi-Fuji
* Seino Transportation
* Cosmo Oil Yokkaichi
* Sagawa Shiga
* NTT Kinki/Kansai
* SP Kyoto
* Tanabe Pharmaceutical
* Dainichi Cable Industries
* Sagawa Express Osaka
* Eidai SC
* Kagura Shimane
* Teijin SC
* Nippon Steel Yawata
* Tosu Futures
* Profesor Miyazaki
* J.League U-22 Selection
* FC Tokyo U-23
* Cerezo Osaka U-23
* Gamba Osaka U-23

*[No.]: Number
*[Pos.]: Position
*[GK]: Goalkeeper
*[DF]: Defender
*[MF]: Midfielder
*[FW]: Forward
*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template