Seia Kunori

Seia Kunori (久乗 聖亜), also known as just Kunori, is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker or attacking-midfielder for Singapore Premier League club BG Tampines Rovers.

High school
While in junior high school, Kunori played for the academy of professional club Kyoto Sanga. He played as a midfielder, but his opportunities were limited due to the form of Shimpei Fukuoka and Genki Egawa. Having failed to establish himself in the Kyoto Sanga youth team, he moved to Higashiyama High School, where he was converted to a striker, and established himself in the team.

Kansai University
Kunori committed to playing football at Kansai University. He scored once in the 2022 Emperor's Cup, in a 2–0 win over FC Osaka.

Club career
In January 2023, it was announced that Kunori would join Singaporean club, Albirex Niigata Singapore for the 2023 Singapore Premier League season. He made his debut in the Singapore Community Shield, scoring once in a 3–0 win against Hougang United.

On 5 April 2023, he scored his first hat-trick for the club against Balestier Khalsa with Albirex Niigata (S) winning the game 6–1. On 3 August, Kunori scored four goals against Geylang International in a 6–1 win in which he also get himself his second hat-trick of the season. Kunori helped the club to retained the league title and finishing as the third highest league goal scorer behind Maxime Lestienne and fellow countrymen, Ryoya Tanigushi with 21 goals in 23 league appearances. In the 2023 Singapore Cup fixtures on 24 September, he rescued his team from a 1–0 deficit to draw level at 1–1 against DPMM.

Kunori would go on to win the league title at the end of the season with Albirex Niigata. During the Football Association of Singapore Awards Night, he won the 2023 Young Player of the Year award and also being named in the league 2023 Singapore Premier League Team of the Year.

Style of play
A forward with good technique, skilful dribbler and pinpoint passing ability, Kunori is also highly regarded for his vision and situational awareness. He has been compared to fellow Japanese footballer Daichi Kamada for his style of play.

Club
Albirex Niigata (S)


 * Singapore Premier League: 2023
 * Singapore Community Shield: 2023

Individual

 * Singapore Premier League Young Player of the Year: 2023
 * Singapore Premier League Team of the Year: 2023

Club
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 * Notes