Keisuke Honda to Join Singapore Premier League

Former Japan international footballer Keisuke Honda is set to join the Singapore Premier League (SPL) for the upcoming season. On April 10, 2026, it was announced that Honda will play for FC Jurong, a club currently known as Albirex Niigata Singapore until the end of the current season.

The announcement confirms that Honda will join the club in August. The move coincides with a rebranding of the team, as Albirex Niigata Singapore will officially become FC Jurong starting from the 2026/2027 SPL season.

Objectives and Personal Goals

Honda, who turns 40 in June 2026, has identified specific professional and personal targets for his tenure in Singapore. His primary objective with FC Jurong is to secure the league title, despite acknowledging the presence of strong rivals in the competition.

I am delighted to have the opportunity to play for FC Jurong. As I turn 40 this year, I am pursuing several personal challenges, including a Guinness World Record for scoring in the most countries’ top leagues. However, my primary goal with this club is to win the league title. There are a couple of very strong rivals, so it will be a tough challenge, but I am determined to achieve it.

Keisuke Honda

FC Jurong described the signing as a strategic partnership that extends beyond the acquisition of a single player. The club stated that the agreement is intended to create new value and contribute to the broader development of the football community within Singapore.

A Diverse Professional Career

Known as Keizer Keisuke (Emperor Keisuke), Honda brings an extensive international pedigree to the SPL. He earned 98 caps and scored 38 goals for Japan, featuring in the 2010, 2014, and 2018 FIFA World Cups.

His club career began with Nagoya Grampus Eight in Japan before he moved to Europe in 2008. His trajectory included several high-profile stops across different continents:

• VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands (2008–2009)
• CSKA Moscow in Russia (2010–2013)
• AC Milan in Italy (2014–2017)
• Pachuca in Mexico (2017–2018)
• Melbourne Victory in Australia (2018–2019)
• Vitesse in the Netherlands (2019)
• Botafogo in Brazil (2020)
• Neftçi Baku in Azerbaijan (2021)
• Sūduva in Lithuania (2021)
• Paro in Bhutan (2024)

In addition to his playing career, Honda has experience in technical leadership. He served as the manager of the Cambodia national team from 2018 to 2023 and also managed the Cambodia U23 side in 2023.

Tactical Profile and Impact

Honda is recognized as a versatile attacking midfielder capable of operating as a winger, a false nine, or a deep-lying playmaker. His technical strengths include accuracy with bending free-kicks, long-distance striking ability, and set-piece delivery.

The move to FC Jurong follows a period where Honda was observed participating in training sessions with the Albirex team. His arrival in August will mark a significant addition to the SPL roster as the league prepares for the 2026/2027 campaign.