Supporting the team on and off the pitch
The reliable "Dama-san"
GK 1 Tsuyoshi KODAMA
Special content introducing the all-blue-red warriors who will challenge the 2024 season. What are the players thinking and what kind of determination are they approaching the year with as they prepare for the opening? The stories of the players who hold club love, thirst for titles, aspirations for success, and the roles they must fulfill─. Goalkeeper Tsuyoshi KODAMA, who turned 36 at the end of last year. Introducing his efforts to prioritize communication.
Tsuyoshi KODAMA, a graduate of Kyoto Purple Sanga (currently Kyoto Sanga F.C.) Academy. After attending Kansai University, he started his professional career with Kyoto's top team and is now in his 15th season since 2024. In his 6th season with FC Tokyo, he celebrated his 36th birthday on December 28th last year. However, there is no sign of decline in his agility, explosiveness, technical skills as a goalkeeper, and ball handling skills. He is truly an iron man. That man is Tsuyoshi KODAMA.
During his academy days, he was known for his mischievous personality. However, after a 14-year professional career that he describes as "short but long," Kodama has become known as "Dama-san" and has grown into one of the veteran players supporting the blue and red army. During team building at camp, he took the lead in communication and played a role in connecting players of various ages.
"I believe that with the experience I have gained so far, I must also contribute to the team's relationships and actively speak up. I understand that I am in a position where I should take a proactive stance. I intend to understand what roles are necessary and do what I can."
As a symbol of strong awareness as a senior, the love for the club has deepened year by year. The background behind the decision to renew the contract was "As a major premise, there was a strong desire to win in Tokyo". Overlapping the success of the club and the individual, the desire to produce results here led to the decision. Whether I can stay in Tokyo or continue my career. In both senses, I have approached the past few seasons with the feeling that "this season is the last". This season, I am also aiming for my first title with the same enthusiasm, saying "I have a strong desire to be a force for Tokyo as my own feelings. I want to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to play".
In addition, we discussed with the club about our strategy and vision for the 2024 season. Our attacking style is to start from the goalkeeper and break through the center, which is suitable for Kodama, who is agile and has good technical skills. Whether it's playing with the ball or working as a group off the pitch, Kodama will be himself and inspire the team from the back.
Text by Katsu Goto (Freelance Writer)
