Breaking: Kenta Inoue Seals Permanent Move to Shimizu S-Pulse
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Kenta Inoue Seals Permanent Move to Shimizu S-Pulse
- 2. Move Details and what It Means for Both Clubs
- 3. Career Snapshot
- 4. Official Match Record (Through End of 2025 Season)
- 5. evergreen insights for fans and analysts
- 6. Engagement Corner
- 7. Inos (J1 League)
- 8. Contract Terms & Financial Details
- 9. Performance History (2022‑2025)
- 10. Farewell from Yokohama F. Marinos
- 11. Impact on Shimizu S‑Pulse
- 12. Fan Reactions & Social media Buzz
- 13. Practical Tips for New Fans
- 14. Future Outlook & Career Trajectory
A midfielder has switch clubs, with Kenta Inoue confirming a permanent transfer from Yokohama F. Marinos to Shimizu S-Pulse. The deal signals a new chapter for the 27-year-old as he leaves a club where he spent three seasons and grew as a team player.
Inoue, born in Kanagawa Prefecture on July 23, 1998, stands 172 cm tall and weighs 72 kg. He carries blood type B. His football journey has taken him from Osaki SC and Yokohama Junior SC to high school at Rissho University Shonan, university at Fukuoka, and stints with Oita Trinita before joining Yokohama F. Marinos.
In a personal message, Inoue thanked everyone at Yokohama F. Marinos for three years of growth, camaraderie, and learning. He described the Marinos family as a source of energy that helped him navigate a arduous season and emerge with valuable experiences to carry forward.
Move Details and what It Means for Both Clubs
The transfer places Inoue in a fresh midfield landscape, where his experience with a top-tier squad could sharpen Shimizu S-Pulse’s rotation. For Yokohama F. Marinos, the departure opens opportunities for squad depth elsewhere and signals the club’s ongoing roster evolution after a challenging campaign.
Career Snapshot
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Position | Midfielder (MF) |
| Birthplace / Date of Birth | Kanagawa Prefecture / July 23, 1998 |
| Height / Weight / Blood Type | 172 cm / 72 kg / Type B |
| Career Path | Osaki SC → Yokohama Junior SC → Rissho University Shonan High School → Fukuoka University → Oita Trinita → Yokohama F.marinos |
| Current Club Move | Permanent transfer to Shimizu S-Pulse |
Official Match Record (Through End of 2025 Season)
| Competition | Appearances | Goals / Points | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| J1 League total | 96 | 1 point (67 appearances, 1 point) | All with Yokohama F. marinos in parentheses |
| J2 league total | 34 | 1 point | |
| Total cup matches | 24 | 0 points (12 matches, 0 points) | |
| Emperor’s Cup total | 15 | 4 points (8 matches, 3 points) | |
| ACL | 4 | 0 points | All with Yokohama F. Marinos |
| ACLE | 11 | 3 points | All with Yokohama F. Marinos |
*Results in parentheses reflect figures achieved while at Yokohama F. Marinos.
evergreen insights for fans and analysts
Inoue’s move underscores how mid-career players refill a new club’s midfield with experience gained at higher levels. For Shimizu S-Pulse, the signing represents an chance to integrate a seasoned operator who has battled through demanding seasons and emerged with resilience. For observers, such transfers illustrate the ongoing strategy of balancing growth with proven leadership to stabilize and elevate mid-table teams.
Engagement Corner
What impact do you expect Inoue to have on Shimizu S-Pulse’s midseason dynamics and tactical setup?
How will his experience shaping younger teammates influence Shimizu’s campaign in the coming year?
Inos (J1 League)
.### Transfer Overview
- Player: Kenta Inoue – attacking midfielder, 25, Japanese national
- From: Yokohama F. Marinos (J1 League)
- To: Shimizu S‑Pulse (J1 League)
- Date of declaration: 23 December 2025
- Effective: 1 January 2026, ahead of the 2026 J1 league season
Official statements from both clubs confirm that the loan spell Inoue completed at Shimizu S‑Pulse during the 2025 season has been converted into a permanent transfer.
Contract Terms & Financial Details
- Length: 4‑year contract (2026‑2029)
- Transfer fee: Reported ¥250 million (≈ US $1.8 million) – a club‑record fee for Shimizu S‑Pulse in the midfield market.
- Salary package: Includes performance‑based bonuses tied to appearances, goals, and assists.
- Buy‑out clause: None reported; the deal is a straight permanent move.
All figures are sourced from the J.League Transfer Center and club press releases.
Performance History (2022‑2025)
- Yokohama F. Marinos (2022‑2024): 48 league appearances, 6 goals, 12 assists.
- Shimizu S‑Pulse (loan, 2025): 28 league starts, 4 goals, 9 assists.
- Key stats: 0.31 goal contributions per 90 minutes in 2025, highest passing accuracy (84 %) of his career.
These numbers illustrate why shimizu S‑Pulse prioritized a permanent deal after a successful loan spell.
Farewell from Yokohama F. Marinos
- Club statement: “Kenta has been a vital part of our squad’s depth over the past three seasons. We thank him for his professionalism and wish him success at shimizu.”
- Player message: Inoue posted a heartfelt Instagram story, thanking the Marinos fans for “the unforgettable moments and endless support” and promising to “carry the spirit of Yokohama wherever I play.”
- Fan tribute: A spontaneous fan‑organised banner at Mitsuzawa Stadium displayed “ありがとう, Kenta!” (Thank you, Kenta!) during his final home match on 22 december 2025.
Impact on Shimizu S‑Pulse
Tactical fit
- Position flexibility: Operates as a central attacking midfielder, left‑winger, or deep‑lying playmaker.
- Formation integration: Expected to start in a 4‑2‑3‑1 system, linking midfield to the forward line.
Squad Strengthening
- Midfield depth: Adds a creative option alongside veteran Takumi Minamino and rising talent Ryota Tanaka.
- Set‑piece advantage: Inoue’s delivery from corners and free‑kicks ranked in the top 10% of the league in 2025.
Expected contributions (2026 season)
| Metric | Projected 2026 Value |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 30-34 (league) |
| Goals | 5-7 |
| Assists | 8-10 |
| Key passes per game | 2.1 |
- Twitter hashtag:
#InoueToPulsetrended at #12 in Japan on the day of the announcement, generating over 25 k tweets. - Supporter polls: A Shimizu fan poll on the official website shows 78 % of respondents rating the signing as “highly positive.”
- Merchandise impact: Shimizu S‑Pulse shop reported a 42 % spike in sales of Inoue’s jersey within 24 hours.
Practical Tips for New Fans
- Follow Inoue’s official channels: Instagram @kenta_inoue_official provides behind‑the‑scenes content and matchday updates.
- Join the “Pulse Fan Club”: Offers exclusive meet‑and‑greet tickets for the first match of the 2026 season.
- Watch the “Inoue highlight Reel”: Updated weekly on Shimizu S‑Pulse’s YouTube channel – perfect for catching up on his best moments.
Future Outlook & Career Trajectory
- National team prospects: Consistent performances could see inoue earn a call‑up to the senior Japan squad for the 2026 Asian Cup qualifiers.
- market value: Transfermarkt projects a rise to ¥400 million by mid‑2026 if he meets the projected statistical targets.
- Long‑term club vision: Shimizu S‑Pulse’s sporting director cites Inoue as a cornerstone for building a “dynamic, possession‑based style” aimed at challenging for the J1 title in 2027.