Tsuyoshi Watanabe

Tsuyoshi Watanabe is a Japanese central defender born in Saitama on 5 February 1997. He developed with Obukuro FC and FC Tokyo’s youth setup before continuing through Yamanashi Gakuin University High School and Chuo University. Watanabe joined FC Tokyo in 2018 and became a regular starter the following season. He started FC Tokyo’s 2–1 J.League Cup final victory over Kashiwa Reysol in 2021. In December 2021, he moved to Belgian club KV Kortrijk, where he played every minute of the 2022–23 campaign and was named the club’s Player of the Year. Watanabe then joined Gent in July 2023, gaining further experience in a back three and contributing to build-up play. In July 2025, he transferred to Feyenoord, while also representing Japan internationally.