Japan-born football player gets S’pore citizenship, now eligible for ASEAN Championship

Japan-born football player Kyoga Nakamura says he’s excited to finally get S’pore citizenship

After living in Singapore for five years, Japan-born football player Kyoga Nakamura can finally call himself a Singaporean.

His club, BG Tampines Rovers, announced on Facebook on Friday (25 Oct) that their star midfielder had received his citizenship.

Club chairman Desmond Ong said Nakamura was a “fantastic footballer and an even better person” and he was “delighted to welcome him” as a new citizen.

Japan-born football player was ’emotional’ to take citizenship oath

In a post on his Instagram account, Nakamura, 28, said it was “emotional” for him to take the oath on Friday.

When he came to Singapore in 2019, he “just loved” the country but it gradually also became his dream to represent and fight for this country, he added.

Thus, he’s “really excited” to finally be Singaporean and promised:

From here on in, I will try my best to contribute whatever I can to OUR country and OUR football.

Football player joined Lions’ training in Japan even before getting citizenship

Even before becoming a citizen, Nakamura had experienced life as a Singaporean football player.

In September, he was invited to join the Lions’ squad for a training camp during the international window to familiarise himself with the setup, according to the Football Association of Singapore (FAS).

Earlier this month, he was again invited to train with the Lions at a centralised training camp in Japan, his now-former homeland.

It was also his first time wearing the Lions’ jersey, he said.

His son was born in Singapore

But before both these stints, Nakamura experienced an even greater milestone in his life that tied him even closer to Singapore.

His son was born here on 1 Sept, he announced on Instagram.

The happy new father pledged to “continue to strive to be more responsible as a father as well as a football player”.

He came in 2019 with Albirex Niigata

Back in Japan, Nakamura played for several Japanese clubs, earning a reputation as a creative and energetic midfielder, said FAS.

He came to Singapore in 2019 as part of the Albirex Niigata team and was nominated for the Goal of the Year and Young Player of the Year awards.

Since joining BG Tampines Rovers four years ago, he has worn the No. 10 shirt with distinction, having been named in the Singapore Premier League Team of the Year in 2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023.

He received his permanent residency earlier this year, overcoming challenges like Singapore’s sweltering heat and the lack of natural grass on football pitches.

Nakamura has become a citizen just in time to represent Singapore at the ASEAN Football Federation Championship, which will be from 9 Dec to 5 Jan 2025.

Also read: Tsutomu Ogura Appointed S’pore National Football Team Coach, He Previously Coached Japan’s Olympic Squad

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Featured image adapted from BG Tampines Rovers Football Club on Facebook and @kyoga_nakamur on Instagram.