Shimizu S-Pulse have announced that they will hold a farewell match for Shinji Okazaki, who retired from professional football in 2024.
The OKAZAKI×S-PULSE REUNION MATCH will be held at IAI Stadium Nihondaira on 16 January 2027. Details regarding ticket sales will be announced in late October.
Okazaki commented through the club:
“I’m really grateful for the six years I spent playing for Shimizu S-Pulse in Japan. S-Pulse are the only club I played for in Japan, so I’m genuinely happy and honoured to have a farewell match here. That’s why I want to make it as special an occasion as possible. Even though it’s a farewell match, I’d like it to be something that also looks towards the future of S-Pulse. It would be great if the players from my time at the club could all get together and enjoy the day like one big reunion.
“I’d also love for the match to get people talking about what comes next for S-Pulse — winning the J.League, playing in the ACL and developing the next generation of players. S-Pulse are the only J.League club I played for, so this is a really special place for me. I’m really looking forward to coming back, seeing everyone again and enjoying the day together. I hope you’ll all come!”
