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J.League designated special players

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This is a list of J.League designated special players, picked by J.League clubs from universities and high schools all over Japan.

System information

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Perspective

The system, in place since 1998, aims to provide high potential players "a suitable environment in accordance with the player's ability."[1] Most young players are registered with their university or high school until they are at least 18 and as such cannot be registered with another team. The 'designated special players' system allows J.League clubs to invite a maximum of three players to train and play in J.League competitions, without changing their registration status from their current registered team. Therefore, during this time, the player is allowed to play for both their educational institution and their J.League club. This provides the players an opportunity to train and play at a higher level, whilst also giving the clubs an opportunity to sell themselves as a potential destination upon completion of their studies. Although most of the time players go on to sign a professional contract with their host club, there is no guarantees or assurances that it will always be the case.

A player is eligible to become a designated special players if they fulfill the following requirements:

  • They have an official offer from a J. League club
  • They have Japanese citizenship or do not apply as a foreign player
  • They registered with teams under the Japan University Football Association, the All Japan High School Athletic Federation, or teams of the Japan Club Youth Federation Level 2 other than J.League club teams.

Once approved, the players can then participate in any of the following competitions:

  • J1, J2, J3 League matches
  • League Cup matches
  • Pre-season matches
  • J.League promotion/relegation play-off matches
  • Other official matches organised by J.League and the Japan FA
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Key

More information Legend, Meaning ...
Player
Full name of the player.
From
The institution or institutions football club which the player is registered for (usually their university or high school)
To
The J.League club which the player is designated to.
Games played
The number of caps and goals the player has played whilst a designated special player, including the competition in which they were attained.
Year of affiliation
The year and team in which the player signed a professional contract with.
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Designated special players

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1998

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1999

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2000

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2001

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2002

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2003

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2004

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2005

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2006

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2007

2008

2009

2010

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2011

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2012

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2013

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2014

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2015

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2016

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2017

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2018

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2019

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2020

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2021

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2022

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2023

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2024

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  1. Shiogai was announced by Yokohama F. Marinos in the pre-season as a new designated player, and accepted a pre-contract offer to fully join Marinos on 2027. However, Shiogai's 2027 pre-contract offer with Yokohama F. Marinos and his designated player registration were cancelled, as he left Keio University and the DSP program to join NEC.
  2. Iwaki FC announced on 12 July the permanent signing of Igarashi. He was scheduled to permanently join the team after the end of his four-year period at university. However, he decided to drop out of university with a few months to end his term. He eventually played 12 more matches after the announcement.

2025

Caps and goals updated as of 16 July 2025. Players registered in the program updated as of 21 July 2025.

More information Player, From ...
  1. Kosei Suwama was scheduled to fully join Marinos in 2026, after his graduation from university. However, he decided to leave university a year before his graduation, consequently being unregistered from the DSP program after just a bit more than a month.
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Records

  • Educational institution with most designated special players:
  • J.League club taken on most designated special players:

Caps

All records below are for while the player was specially designated

Goals

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References

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