"I just thought it would be difficult for me to play in another uniform except the Reds' uniform," Urawa Reds and former Japan striker Masahiro Fukuda emotionally said of the reasons for his retirement on Tuesday at a Saitama hotel.
Fukuda, known as "Mr. Reds" after playing for 14 years for his only club, Urawa, joined Urawa's predecessor Mitsubishi FC from Chuo University in 1989.
"I have lots of things that I want to tell to our supporters but cannot put them into words. I just want to thank them very much," the 36-year-old said.