Keisuke Honda officially joined FC Jurong on August 22, 2026, expressing his goal to make the club the top team in the Singapore Premier League (SPL) [1, 2, 3, 4]. The 39-year-old midfielder, who earned 98 caps and scored 37 goals for Japan, signed with FC Jurong in April as a major transfer coup for the 2026-27 season [1, 3, 4]. Honda spoke at the press conference, saying, "I wanted to join this club (because) recently FC Jurong could not beat the Lion City Sailors. I think this club should be the No. 1 club in the league" [1].
FC Jurong was renamed from Albirex Niigata Singapore this year after finishing third in the 2025 season behind Lion City Sailors, who won the last two titles [1, 2, 3, 4]. The former Albirex Niigata club won six SPL championships before rebranding [1, 3, 4]. Chairman Daisuke Korenaga emphasized that Honda’s signing was based on more than just his name. "We did not bring him here just because of his name. What we want is his experience, winning mentality, professionalism and high standards," Korenaga said [1, 2]. He added, "Our goal this season is very clear. We want to win the Singapore Premier League. Keisuke and I have shared this goal from the beginning" [1].
Honda, who retired from Japanese international football in 2018 after playing in three World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018), said playing remains his passion. "Being a player is my passion, that's it ... I always want to play (football) and try to win in front of an audience. Plus I want to become champion so this is a great opportunity for me," he said [2].
FC Jurong also promoted Singaporean assistant coach Jaswinder Singh to head coach while former coach Keiji Shigetomi took over as technical director [1, 3, 4]. The club’s main partner at Honda’s unveiling was Takasago Singapore [1, 3, 4].
The 2026-27 SPL season will start on September 11, with FC Jurong’s first match against Young Lions on September 13 at Jalan Besar Stadium [1, 3, 4]. The season curtain-raiser, the Community Shield, will be played between Lion City Sailors and Tampines Rovers on September 6 [1, 3, 4].
