Kawasaki Frontale Defender Shintaro Kurumaya, 33, Announces Retirement
J1 League club Kawasaki Frontale announced on the 17th that defender Shintaro Kurumaya (33), who has been a cornerstone of the team's defense for many years, will retire from professional football at the end of this season. The decision to end his 12-year career, spent entirely with Kawasaki, has been met with a mix of surprise and regret from fans. Kurumaya joined Kawasaki Frontale from Tsukuba University in 2014. Since then, he has consistently worn the club's uniform, leading the team through its golden era as a 'one-club man.' He was particularly indispensable as a left-back, appearing in a total of 340 official matches, including league games. His achievements have also earned him recognition as a former Japan international defender. Upon announcing his retirement, Kurumaya commented, "I strongly desired to finish my career at Frontale." He has reportedly struggled with repeated injuries in recent years, suggesting his decision was made after careful cons...