Masanari Omura Retires After 10 Seasons It’s the end of an era, as the Club Legend steps away from the game after spending a decade in the Kaya shirt.

Kaya FC–Iloilo’s Masanari Omura announced his retirement from football today, capping a decade-long run with the club he joined in 2011. At the age of 37, the former captain has decided that it’s time to hang up the boots—walking away as one of most beloved players to ever don the team colors.

Long-time fans will look back fondly on Masa’s evolution from loud-haired unknown entity, to invaluable mainstay and bona fide leader.

Omura’s been able to add quite a lot to his resume over the years: including a UFL Cup Title (2015), where he was awarded the Golden Ball; three AFC Cup berths (2016, 2019, 2020); two Copa Paulino Alcantara Trophies (2018 & 2021); and an AFC Champions League berth (2021).

He’s come a long way from the 10-year-old kid from the Aichi Prefecture who chose football over baseball. That boy who dreamed of becoming a professional player one day, went on to captain his university squad and lead his team to third place in all of Japan.

Despite not playing for four years after graduating, Masa held on to his childhood dream and eventually got a chance with a short stint at semi-pro Australian side Fraser Park FC. It was there that he became teammates with former Philippines National Team player Leigh Gunn, who told him about a certain Reggae-colored club in his native country that were holding tryouts. The rest was history.

Both at the start and the end of his Kaya tenure, Masanari’s position was listed as midfielder. But like his array of hairstyles, his skillset was equally diverse. An all-around player with a keen sense of the game, he lined up in almost every position in his time with the club: be it midfielder, defender, winger, or forward. The former captain slotted in wherever the team needed him most, filling in gaps and carrying the responsibility to deliver key roles on the pitch.

His dedication to his teammates is second only to his love for the fans, who could always count on him to give maximum effort. Even as injuries started to pile on towards the end, Masa truly embodied the club’s motto and made sure to leave it all on the pitch.

In a heartfelt message from Kaya President & GM Paul Tolentino, he celebrates the career and the person that is Masanari Omura:

The words ‘club legend’ are often thrown around carelessly when in reality, true club legends are incredibly rare. In my role as the GM of Kaya, I have had the privilege of managing two of them: Aly and Masa. This privilege, does come with the sad reality of seeing them retire from the game of football.

To have a player commit his entire professional career to one club is uncommon, and it goes without saying that it has been an honor to be on the receiving end of such commitment from a player like Masa.

Not only has he dedicated 10 years of his life playing for Kaya, he did so with such class—giving it all he had both on and off the pitch, and performing at the highest levels until the very end.

In true form, his retirement from the game is perfectly timed. Having worked his way back from a potential career ending injury, he managed to play 95 gruelling minutes in our Asian Champions League playoff—which then crucially earned us a place at the group stage, a first in the history of the club.

As if this wasn’t a big enough achievement, Masa was pivotal in helping the team take home the Copa Paulino Alcantara trophy for the second time—without conceding a goal and winning every match.

Dōmo arigatōgozaimasu Masa 🙌🏽🙏🏽
Una Kaya 💚💛❤️

Kaya has been lucky to have you for the last 10 years. Maraming Salamat. You are not only a Kaya Legend but a Champion as well.