East Bengal's Japan connection: From Arata Izumi to Hiroshi Ibusuki

East Bengal have signed the Japanese striker Hiroshi Ibusuki from the A-League.

East Bengal FC are among the oldest and most illustrious football clubs in India. The Red & Gold Brigade are renowned for a multitude of ardent and loyal fans worldwide, as well as its nerve-racking rivalries. The club has brought foreign exports over the years who have lit up Indian Football with their breathtaking brilliance. Among the numerous overseas players who have represented the team, the Japanese connection holds a special place in their history.

Hiroshi Ibusuki is the fourth-ever Japanese player that East Bengal have signed. Arata Izumi, Ryuji Sueoka, and Katsumi Yusa came before him; each had a unique influence that shaped how Kolkata recalls the “Samurai spirit.”

The 4️⃣th Japanese 🇯🇵 to join the Red & Gold Brigade! 🔴🟡#JoyEastBengal #WelconeHiroshi pic.twitter.com/DMGWTm88hI

— East Bengal FC (@eastbengal_fc) September 18, 2025

Here’s a look back at how these four football players contribute to East Bengal’s rich history in an intriguing Japanese thread:

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Arata Izumi: The Forerunner (2006-07)

Arata Izumi was the first Japanese player to be signed by East Bengal in 2006. His short stay at East Bengal marked a distinct cultural shift at the club. He was born to an Indo-Japanese family, as his father is Japanese and his mother is an Indian. He later returned to the ISL during its early days and had a significant impact on ATK FC.

Why It Mattered: When he came to East Bengal, both Japanese football and a Japanese player playing in the Indian Football circuit for a side that plays the National Football League (NFL), now the I-League, was quite an unusual thing. His signing allowed Red & Gold to scout talent from Asia beyond the usual foreign recruits.

Contribution: Arata’s stint with East Bengal was short but symbolic. He eventually became an Indian citizen and represented India at the international level, an honour that brought further historical significance to his brief stint for East Bengal.

Legacy: While not necessarily placing himself in headlines, his presence at the club reflected East Bengal’s willingness to explore uncharted territories to scout overseas talent. He remains a trailblazer — the first of the “Japanese quartet” to don the Red & Gold.

Ryuji Sueoka – The Experienced Campaigner (2013-14)

It took East Bengal seven years after Izumi’s signing to land another Japanese. East Bengal signed Ryuji Sueoka, who by then already possessed a heavy resume with experience in Indian football.

Background: Sueoka came to East Bengal after playing for some giants of Indian Football like Salgaocar FC, Mohun Bagan, and Shillong Lajong FC, so he was a known name in the Indian Football circuit. He was a prolific midfielder with a habit of scoring crucial goals.

At East Bengal: He joined East Bengal FC when they were competing in various competitions other than the I-League, like the AFC Cup, and so on. His tactical acumen and professionalism were an added boost to the Red and Gold side.

Impact: Injuries and fitness issues caused a lot of hiccups for him during his tenure at East Bengal FC, but still, he was way ahead of the other foreign recruits, both tactically and skillfully. Signing him showed the intent of the club to balance youth with experienced internationals.

Remembered for: Ryuji Sueoka is remembered as one of the earliest Japanese professionals in the annals of Indian football in general, and the East Bengal stint is but part of the larger narrative.

Katsumi Yusa – The Fan Favourite (2017–18)

Katsumi Yusa arrived at East Bengal during the 2017-18 I-League season, as a known name and star in the Indian Football circuit. By the time he joined the Red and Gold Brigade, he had already won the I-League with Mohun Bagan. But he came to the arch rivals with the same passion, determination, and hunger to win trophies.

Playing Style: He was a midfield maestro. Yusa was known for his energetic and unstoppable running ability through the flanks and accurate passes. Katsumi was capable of playing in multiple positions with unmatchable consistency.

At East Bengal: He arrived at the club at a critical time in the club’s quest for I-League glory. Yusa led on and off the pitch, even if trophies that season sadly eluded the club.

Connection with Fans: Yusa had the respect of the crowd for his professionalism and humility. The supporters liked the way he threw his body on the line in the fierce Kolkata Derby, showing he understood what the Red & Gold shirt stood for.

Legacy: Now remembered with affection as the Japanese player who represented East Bengal’s fighting spirit, Yusa contributed both on the field.

Hiroshi Ibusuki – The Next Chapter (2025)

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Hiroshi is the fourth Japanese player who will be donning the Red and Gold jersey. He is a proper striker, a prolific goal scorer, and very much different from the other three. He is 1.97 meters tall, which is rare for a Japanese player. His physical attributes are an asset to him. The record shows that he is very accurate in winning the aerial duals.

Career Path: Ibusuki has travelled all over the world and has the experience of playing in Spain (including Sevilla), Portugal, Japan, and most recently in Australia with Adelaide United and Western United. His experience across different football cultures has made him a professional who can adapt to the rigors of various footballing landscapes.

What He Brings: East Bengal have been looking for a target man to score goals and create. Ibusuki has a strong aerial threat and is some who can hold up with a knack for goal-scoring. With Diamantakos leaving the club, Ibusuki seems to be a capable replacement to fill the void.

What to expect: The hope is that Ibusuki can lay that finishing touch to the package that has not worked in recent East Bengal seasons. The Torchbearers would be expecting the pedigree and experience that Ibusuki brings, which provides more depth to the squad. The finesse that he brings has often been an elusive quality for the overseas exports that East Bengal have brought recently.

The Red & Gold and the Rising Sun

East Bengal fans will have some Japanese flair to enjoy in the upcoming season. Ibusuki will be the latest addition to the Japanese contingent that has represented East Bengal in the past. It will be interesting to observe how his trajectory in Indian Football unfolds and what he will achieve in the famous Red and Gold jersey.

The 34-year-old will have big boots to fill. Katsumi Yusa was a celebrated figure, and the fans would be hoping Ibusuki to replicate what his predecessor did for the club. He has the opportunity to ink his name into the East Bengal folklore if his goalscoring output brings the glory back to the ‘tent’.

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