Daegu FC have confirmed the departure of key midfielder Yoshino, who is set to join J1 League side Cerezo Osaka after an impressive spell in South Korea’s top flight.

The 30-year-old Japanese star, who arrived at Daegu in January 2023, made an immediate impact in the K League 1, featuring in 30 matches and contributing five goals and three assists during his debut campaign. His combative presence in midfield and defensive discipline quickly made him a cornerstone of Daegu’s setup.

This season, Yoshino continued to be a vital figure, adding two goals from 16 league appearances before deciding to return to Japan. Announcing his departure, Daegu FC paid tribute to his service, stating on the club’s official channels: “We thank Yoshino for his dedication to our defence since last season. We wish him all the best in his next chapter.”

Yoshino, reflecting on his decision, admitted it was not an easy choice given the club’s current position — Daegu sit bottom of the K League 1 standings with just 12 points from 17 rounds. “It was really hard to make this decision considering the situation the team is in,” he said. “But after deep discussions with my family, I decided to return home.”

He also expressed gratitude to Daegu’s fans: “Thank you sincerely for all the incredible support during my time here. I’m truly sorry that I couldn’t repay it with results. My year and a half at Daegu was a treasure, and I hope we meet again someday.”

Yoshino’s departure leaves a void in Daegu’s midfield, but the club are reportedly moving quickly to strengthen the squad. A club official revealed that they are “considering the addition of two foreign players” in a bid to lift the team off the bottom of the table in the second half of the season.

Sources close to Yoshino suggest that family considerations, particularly his wife’s recent childbirth, played a key role in his decision to return to Japan.

For Yoshino, who began his professional career in Japan in 2013, the move marks a homecoming to the J1 League — and a fresh start with Cerezo Osaka as he looks to continue his career on familiar soil.