Saltista Hashimoto FC and FC Corazon Infantil Announce Joint Operation System for Junior Youth Team

Saltista Hashimoto FC (Saltista Hashimoto Co., Ltd., Location: Sagamihara City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Representatives: Hayate Yokoyama, Shion Ariyama) and FC Corazon's junior youth division (FC Corazon Infantil) (Specified Non-profit Organization FC Corazon, Location: Same city, Chairman: Shuichi Kudo), which has a 34-year history rooted in Sagamihara, announce that they will jointly operate a junior youth team from the 2027 fiscal year, establishing a junior youth division.

Along with this, the new team name will be "FC Corazon Saltista," and we will pursue the optimal development foundation for children.

■ Background and Purpose of this Joint Operation

The background to this partnership is a deep alignment in the development policies of both clubs, which prioritize "considering growth as an individual first, along with improving football skills." The primary objective of the partnership is to "create the optimal foundation for soaring to new stages."

Through this partnership, we will consolidate the unique strengths of both clubs. By combining Saltista's professional environment, equivalent to that of a top team (video analysis by analysts, movement improvement by dedicated trainers, meal support by registered dietitians, etc.), with FC Corazon's solid development system built over many years (producing 7 J-League players including national team members, 1 WE League player, 3 overseas professional players, international exchange with Corazon Brazil and São Paulo FC in Brazil, and support for a wide range of individualized educational and career paths), we will realize an unprecedented multifaceted coaching environment.

We will thoroughly support not only skill improvement but also "human development" through learning support and social experience opportunities, under the guideline of "Great Humans First — Be a great person before being a good player." Through this updated environment, we will provide a place where children can cultivate "solid skills" and "independent personalities," which will be lifelong assets, during their three years in junior high school, and continue stable club operations.

■ New Team Overview and Operation System

"FC Corazon Saltista" will leverage the networks and experience cultivated by both clubs over many years to provide an environment where children can play with pride.

New Team Name: FC Corazon Saltista

Start Date: Fiscal Year 2027 (from junior high school first-year students)

Practice Locations: Tokyo Machida Gakuen Sagami Campus (Location: 515-1 Sunzawaarashi, Midori-ku, Sagamihara City)

Artificial turf grounds in Sagamihara City

Fuso Futsal Field Sagamihara Kamimizo

Transportation System: A shuttle bus service is planned to be implemented through the cooperation of both clubs.

Detailed routes and times will be announced once decided at a later date.

■ Strengths of this Joint Operation

① One of the prefecture's leading "natural grass full-pitches" and a fulfilling practice environment

Players can practice at a natural grass full-pitch as their base. Furthermore, shuttle support for weekday practices is fully equipped, creating an environment where children can concentrate on their activities with peace of mind.

② "Professional Coaching" at top team standards and IT utilization

Saltista's top team coach and specialized staff will provide direct coaching. Practices and matches will be filmed with aerial cameras, and analysts will perform video analysis, providing "professional-level feedback" to each player, not relying solely on intuition.

③ Player development through multifaceted support

Beyond football, we will provide individual movement improvement by dedicated trainers, individual nutritional guidance support by registered dietitians, online learning education support, and opportunities for interaction with local communities and different generations. In addition, discounts for osteopathic clinics and gyms are also enhanced.

④ Support for career paths and options that maximize individual potential

FC Corazon offers a wide range of options that are not biased towards the strength of football, such as strong schools, youth teams, and local high schools, which it has built over many years.

We promote activities that broaden children's worldview through international exchange (acceptance of São Paulo FC (every October), Brazil expedition (every August)).

■ Comments from Representatives of Both Clubs

Comment from Hayate Yokoyama, Representative of Saltista Hashimoto Co., Ltd.

"I am deeply honored to be involved again with the club that Shion and I lovingly nurtured, and this club filled with precious memories. I am very happy that the dream I had as a player, 'someday I will return as a Corazon coach,' has now become a reality.

Going forward, while cherishing and inheriting the development philosophy that Corazon has built, all of Saltista will support the further growth of the children."

Comment from Shuichi Kudo, Chairman of Specified Non-profit Organization FC Corazon

"Corazon will embark on a new challenge with Saltista in 2027, the commemorative year of its 35th anniversary. We will begin a new journey with new comrades to get closer to the 'Centennial Vision' advocated by the J-League, which started the year after Corazon was founded."