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Former FC Cincinnati player Yuya Kubo retires from pro soccer
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- Former FC Cincinnati player Yuya Kubo retires from pro soccer
Former FC Cincinnati standout and fan favorite Yuya Kubo announced his retirement from professional soccer March 2.
Kubo, 32, made the announcement on his Instagram account, sharing a long message with his supporters.
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Kubo, a Japan native, was with Cincinnati from 2020-2025, and was waived by FC Cincinnati after the 2025 season. He said on his social media he still lives in Cincinnati.
Yuya Kubo in 2025
Kubo made 146 total appearances for FC Cincinnati, starting 102 of them. His best season was in 2024, when he started 27 games and scored 10 goals with two assists. During that season, he scored two goals in a home win over Inter Miami and three goals late in the game in a win at San Jose after coming off the bench.
He played in 11 playoff games for Cincinnati, starting seven of them, including two last year.
He became a fan favorite for his versatility, his ability to play nearly every position on the pitch depending on what the team needed.
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Before coming here, he played for professional teams in Japan, Belgium , Switzerland and Germany . He also played for the Japanese national team. He scored more than 100 goals in his professional career.
On his Instagram post, he included pictures of himself from his previous teams as well as several pictures from his time with FC Cincinnati. His message to fans was posted both in English and Japanese.
In part, he said, "Throughout my journey in Japan, Europe, and the United States, I have been blessed with so many incredible experiences and connections. I am truly grateful to every club, teammate, coach, and staff member I have worked with, as well as to all the fans who supported me through every moment. Because of the people I met in each place, I was able to grow not only as a player, but also as a person. I am deeply thankful for every encounter along the way. I am especially proud to have finished my career in Cincinnati. Thanks to the warm welcome from the city, the club, and the supporters, I was able to spend an unforgettable time here. Ending my career in this place means so much to me."
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Former FC Cincinnati player Yuya Kubo retires from pro soccer
