Takuya Yamada Appointed to FC Imabari; Blue United eFC Announces Leadership Transition

Blue United Corporation is proud to announce that Takuya Yamada—Executive Advisor to Blue United Corporation and General Manager of Blue United eFC (BLU eFC)—will embark on a new chapter as Football Strategy Office Method Global Executive Assistant for the Japan Professional Football League club, FC Imabari.

We take immense pride in this appointment. Mr. Yamada has been a cornerstone of BLU eFC since 2021, driving its evolution from the inside out. His transition to a prestigious J. League club is a testament to the high caliber of leadership he brought to our organization and the indelible mark he leaves behind.

In an era where eSports was still carving its path, Mr. Yamada’s vision was instrumental. He didn’t just manage a team; he forged a culture of “Professionalism,” instilling the elite mindset and discipline required of top-tier athletes. The current stature of BLU eFC—as a powerhouse that supports eSports players as true athletes—is the direct result of his uncompromising standards.

While we celebrate his new challenge, Blue United remains committed to accelerating our momentum, building upon the formidable foundation Mr. Yamada has established.

Effective with this appointment, Takuya Yamada will step down as General Manager of BLU eFC. He will continue to provide his strategic expertise as Executive Advisor to Blue United Corporation. We would also like to inform you that, going forward, overall responsibility for BLU eFC will be assumed by Seiji Morimatsu, who is currently overseeing the project

Message from Takuya Yamada
” I have decided to step down from my role as General Manager of Blue United eFC. Despite facing challenging circumstances, I believe I was able to convey the mindset and approach required of professional players, even if we couldn’t achieve the level of support commensurate with the players’ daily efforts competing on the global stage or the club’s dramatic growth. Personally, I gained invaluable lessons and countless memories. These five years spent understanding the state of esports and exploring what we could achieve within it have become an irreplaceable asset to me. While I will be leaving the club, I intend to continue supporting eFC’s success as an advisor to Blue United itself. I hope to carry forward Blue’s spirit of building something from nothing and apply it to my activities in Imabari as well. First and foremost, thank you for everything up to this point. I look forward to your continued support. ”

Message from Takehiko Nakamura (President & CEO, Blue United Corporation)
“We are truly delighted and proud to announce that Yamada, General Manager (GM) of Blue United eFC, will be taking on a new role at FC Imabari starting next season.
Drawing on his experience as a professional football player both in Japan and abroad, as well as the expertise he has developed in the field of sports business, GM Yamada has led the sporting department of BLU eFC for the past five years. During that time, he guided not only our young players but the entire organization with dedication and vision. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for his tremendous contributions.
At Blue United, we believe that correctly understanding and putting into practice the fundamental principles of sports business—regardless of the sport—contributes to the growth and development of the entire sports industry. We are confident that the management capabilities GM Yamada cultivated at BLU eFC, a professional team highly regarded internationally, will be fully demonstrated at the outstanding club that is FC Imabari. We wholeheartedly support Yamada in this new challenge and look forward to his continued success in the years ahead. ”

Profile:

Born in Tokyo in 1974. Former Japanese national soccer player. After graduating from Komazawa University, he joined the J.league-side Verdy Kawasaki. He served as captain and played for three more teams – Cerezo Osaka, Yokohama FC, and Sagan Tosu – before signing with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the US for 5 seasons.

He was invited back to Japan by the legendary coach Takeshi Okada, the only Japanese to coach the National Team in two FIFA World Cups (1998 and 2010), to join FC Imabari. He played until 43, scoring 39 goals in 562 games in Japan and the United States and captaining three teams, demonstrating his leadership.

Following his retirement from playing, he joined Nike Japan as the Football Manager, Sports Marketing, and studied the industry from the business side. He is keeping himself busy, deepening his study of the industry to increase the value of football.

Since December 2021, as General Manager of Blue United eFC, he has been the architect of our professional eSports operations while continuing to inspire the next generation as a Special Coach for the Pacific Rim Cup and Blue United FC.