Yoshito Okubo Appointed as Club Director of Albirex Niigata Barcelona

Team2025/9/1

NSG Global Pte Ltd is pleased to announce that former Japan national team player Yoshito Okubo has been appointed as Club Director of the Albirex Niigata Barcelona football study-abroad program, starting from the 2025–26 season.

Albirex Niigata Barcelona was established in Barcelona, Spain, in 2013. Since then, it has provided Japanese students with opportunities to grow as individuals who can compete confidently on the global stage through football, language learning, and daily life overseas. To date, more than 80 young players have taken on this challenge and developed into globally minded talents.

Mr. Okubo, who joins as Club Director this season, is one of Japan’s most prolific strikers. He is the first player in J.League history to win the Golden Boot for three consecutive years. In addition to his achievements with the Japan national team, he also played professionally in Spain and Germany. Drawing on this wealth of experience, he will now support the young players’ ambitions while contributing to the further growth of the club.

Comment from Yoshito Okubo

“Taking on challenges overseas through football is not only about learning skills and tactics, but also about gaining valuable opportunities to grow as a person. My own experience of challenging myself in Spain 20 years ago had a profound impact on my career.

Even now, I am supported by the connections I made back then, and I continue to live each day with excitement. Through this program, I hope players will dedicate themselves fully to football in a local environment, encounter new languages and cultures, and greatly expand their own potential.

Above all, I want them to feel that ‘the experiences gained here will become a lifelong treasure.’ We will give our all to support them.

Let’s take this new step forward together.”

Comment from Daisuke Korenaga, President of Albirex Niigata Barcelona

“Albirex Niigata Barcelona has long provided Japanese youth with a stage to take their first step toward their dreams. Now, in order to pass on this passion and history to the future and further develop the program, we are welcoming Yoshito Okubo—a legendary striker who has represented Japan and also played in Spain—as our new Club Director.

Okubo has always fascinated fans with his fighting spirit both on and off the pitch. We are confident that his experience and passion will ignite the hearts of the next generation who aspire to take on the world, and will inspire tremendous growth and awakening within them.”

Looking Ahead

For the 2025–26 season, the program will continue under the name Albirex Niigata Barcelona, and applications from prospective students are now open.

For program details and information about briefing sessions, please visit our website:

https://tr.nsg-global.com.sg/albirex-barcelona

Contact Information

NSG Global Pte Ltd

E-mail: matsuda@albirex.com.sg

TEL: +65 6334 0511

Contact Person: Matsuda

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