Q. Please tell us the background behind your decision to transfer.
A, this season, I transferred to Urawa Reds, but there was a period when I couldn't get playing time. The main reason for my decision was that I was seeking opportunities to play. Among the teams, Tokyo was the one that wanted me and needed me, so I decided to transfer. As a professional football player, if I can't get playing time, changing the environment is also an option, so I made the decision immediately.
Q. When did you receive the offer?
A, I don't think even a week has passed since receiving the official offer. I myself made an immediate decision after receiving the offer. It feels like things officially started moving in June.
Q: In Tokyo, there are Takahiro KO, who was your teammate during your time at Albirex Niigata, and Rikizo MATSUHASHI, the coach. Did you communicate with them regarding your transfer?
A, I had various talks and consultations. In deciding to transfer, the presence or absence of Coach Matsuhashi and Player Taka might have changed my decision. Their presence was that significant. Also, Tsubasa TERAYAMA was one year junior to me at Juntendo University and we played together, so I plan to rely on him for support in various ways.
Q. How did you honestly feel when the coach, who fought alongside you for one and a half seasons, spoke to you?
A, I was honestly happy. This season, while we were playing for different teams, I was surprised and pleased to be wanted by Tokyo as someone they needed.
Q. Similarly, many of the coaching staff members were teammates during the Niigata era.
I felt a bit nostalgic after receiving the warm-up from Tsutomu Yasuno, the physical coach.
Q. Nagakura himself also gives the impression of steadily stepping up from the regional league.
A, I have always had the desire to become a professional after graduating from university. Step by step, even if it takes years, I have played with the single-minded determination to "definitely become a professional." When I was in the Urawa Reds youth team, Tsuyoshi OTSUKI, who was my coach at the time and is now a coach at Fagiano Okayama, reached out to me when he was the manager of Thespakusatsu Gunma. With a bit of luck as well, I believe I have been able to come this far.
Q. Is there any reason why you chose the jersey number '26'?
I wore number 28 during my time in Gunma and number 27 in Niigata. Since they were consecutive numbers, I thought it would be nice to continue the sequence, so I intuitively chose number 26.
Q. Please tell us about the characteristics of your play.
A, I definitely want you to watch the off-the-ball positioning and tactics. Fans and supporters tend to focus on the player with the ball (laughs). If you have the chance while watching the game, please pay attention to that.
Q. Please tell us your impression when you played against Tokyo in the past.
A, I especially felt that the style of football changed this season. With Coach Matsuhashi, the impression is of football that emphasizes possession and individual skills. It was the same when we faced each other in May, but I always felt the difficulty when matched up against Masato MORISHIGE. We faced each other many times, and I think he is a player who symbolizes Tokyo. The strong impression is "FC Tokyo = MORISHIGE."
Q. How would you like to be addressed by fans and supporters?
A, I haven't had any nicknames until now, so Motoki, Nagakura, or anything is fine (lol).
Q. If you were to introduce your personal side, what kind of personality do you have?
A, I'm actually quite shy around new people (laughs). However, people often say that although they thought I was very quiet, I actually have a talkative personality.
Q. Finally, please tell us your enthusiasm for the second half of the league.
A, to participate in matches, I want to start by training with high intensity. When I play, I will do my best to deliver results and contribute to victory. Thank you for your support.
