[First Japanese Professional Contract] CC Select Shun Ito Joins Prestigious US Lacrosse League PLL Team!
Goalie Shun Ito, who participated in Japan's largest international lacrosse match "KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026," has officially agreed to a two-year professional contract with the Maryland Whipsnakes, a prestigious team in the US Premier Lacrosse League (PLL), until the end of the 2027 season. This marks the first time a Japanese player has signed a formal professional contract with the PLL in lacrosse history.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 3, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 3, 2026 at 12:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 3, 2026 at 12:37 (5 min after Collected)
Little Sunflower Co., Ltd. is pleased to announce that goalie Shun Ito, who participated in Japan's largest international lacrosse match "KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026" organized by the company, has officially agreed to a two-year professional player contract with the Maryland Whipsnakes, a prestigious team belonging to the US professional lacrosse league "Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)," until the end of the 2027 season. This is the first time in lacrosse history that a Japanese player has signed a formal professional contract with the PLL.
Into uncharted territory. A historic achievement for Japanese lacrosse.
Ito participated as an invited player in the California Redwoods training camp held in Pennsylvania for five days from April 22nd to 26th. Amidst 200 of the world's top players, he delivered overwhelming saves. This performance was the deciding factor, leading to a two-year formal professional contract with the prestigious Maryland Whipsnakes.
PLL Official Website Article
This contract will be for two years, until the end of the 2027 season. Ito will now challenge a tough tour-based season across the United States as a candidate for the Maryland Whipsnakes' guardian. Towards the opening game on May 8th, he will carve a new step in history as the first Japanese "PLL player."
Comment from Shun Ito:
"Initially, at the Redwoods selection camp, I was once placed in the free agent pool due to insufficient ability, but within that, I was nominated by the Whipsnakes, and now I will fight the season as a member. While I am sad to leave the Redwoods members with whom I deepened relationships through the camp, I am grateful for this valuable opportunity to play lacrosse at the world's top level. I will do my best to leave my mark as a representative of Japan. First, I aim to win the starting position, and ultimately, I will strive to contribute to the team's league championship. Thank you for your support."
Ito after contract signing
Comment from Motoki Hirata, Head Coach of KAWASAKI FALCONS (Japan):
"For player Ito, we expect him to aim to play as a starting member for the Whipsnakes within this year, and eventually grow into a central player representing the PLL, selected for All-Star Games and international matches. We ask all fans to join us in supporting player Ito with his replica jersey."
What is the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)?
The "Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)," which opened in the United States in 2019, is the world's top professional lacrosse league composed of eight teams. It adopts a unique touring exhibition style, traveling to major cities across the United States, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to each game and boasting enthusiastic popularity. It is an elite league composed only of world-class players, including the world's number one US national team and Canadian national team players. With lacrosse's official adoption as an event in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it is currently attracting keen attention from around the world beyond the realm of sports business.
"KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026" as the catalyst
The catalyst for this achievement was the international match "KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026" held at Fujitsu Kawasaki Stadium on March 21, 2026. Ito participated as a member of the "CC Select" and delivered a series of world-standard saves against top PLL star players who visited Japan. His overwhelming presence caught the eye of visiting PLL officials, which became the decisive factor in securing this exceptional two-year long-term contract.
*What is CC Select (Cross Crosse Select)? It is a select team composed of the most active players in Japan, formed to compete against world-class players (from PLL, etc.) in the international match "SEKAI CROSSE."
Ito at KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026
Comment from Yukiyo Yamada, Tournament Representative of KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026:
"Since its establishment in 2017, 'SEKAICROSSE' has aimed to be a place where children can dream and where Japanese players can challenge the world and discover their potential. Honestly, we have repeatedly asked ourselves if this activity is truly empowering the players, and what kind of place everyone desires. We have continuously experimented and iterated.
However, this time, a player spreading their wings to the world."
Into uncharted territory. A historic achievement for Japanese lacrosse.
Ito participated as an invited player in the California Redwoods training camp held in Pennsylvania for five days from April 22nd to 26th. Amidst 200 of the world's top players, he delivered overwhelming saves. This performance was the deciding factor, leading to a two-year formal professional contract with the prestigious Maryland Whipsnakes.
PLL Official Website Article
This contract will be for two years, until the end of the 2027 season. Ito will now challenge a tough tour-based season across the United States as a candidate for the Maryland Whipsnakes' guardian. Towards the opening game on May 8th, he will carve a new step in history as the first Japanese "PLL player."
Comment from Shun Ito:
"Initially, at the Redwoods selection camp, I was once placed in the free agent pool due to insufficient ability, but within that, I was nominated by the Whipsnakes, and now I will fight the season as a member. While I am sad to leave the Redwoods members with whom I deepened relationships through the camp, I am grateful for this valuable opportunity to play lacrosse at the world's top level. I will do my best to leave my mark as a representative of Japan. First, I aim to win the starting position, and ultimately, I will strive to contribute to the team's league championship. Thank you for your support."
Ito after contract signing
Comment from Motoki Hirata, Head Coach of KAWASAKI FALCONS (Japan):
"For player Ito, we expect him to aim to play as a starting member for the Whipsnakes within this year, and eventually grow into a central player representing the PLL, selected for All-Star Games and international matches. We ask all fans to join us in supporting player Ito with his replica jersey."
What is the Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)?
The "Premier Lacrosse League (PLL)," which opened in the United States in 2019, is the world's top professional lacrosse league composed of eight teams. It adopts a unique touring exhibition style, traveling to major cities across the United States, attracting tens of thousands of spectators to each game and boasting enthusiastic popularity. It is an elite league composed only of world-class players, including the world's number one US national team and Canadian national team players. With lacrosse's official adoption as an event in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, it is currently attracting keen attention from around the world beyond the realm of sports business.
"KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026" as the catalyst
The catalyst for this achievement was the international match "KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026" held at Fujitsu Kawasaki Stadium on March 21, 2026. Ito participated as a member of the "CC Select" and delivered a series of world-standard saves against top PLL star players who visited Japan. His overwhelming presence caught the eye of visiting PLL officials, which became the decisive factor in securing this exceptional two-year long-term contract.
*What is CC Select (Cross Crosse Select)? It is a select team composed of the most active players in Japan, formed to compete against world-class players (from PLL, etc.) in the international match "SEKAI CROSSE."
Ito at KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026
Comment from Yukiyo Yamada, Tournament Representative of KPMG SEKAI CROSSE 2026:
"Since its establishment in 2017, 'SEKAICROSSE' has aimed to be a place where children can dream and where Japanese players can challenge the world and discover their potential. Honestly, we have repeatedly asked ourselves if this activity is truly empowering the players, and what kind of place everyone desires. We have continuously experimented and iterated.
However, this time, a player spreading their wings to the world."