Kyoto, the former capital city which governed Japan for over a thousand years until 1868, fondly remembers such imperial heady days with civic pride. The sporting fans in the locality reminisce the early 90s when Kyoto Sanga was relevant in Japanese football. It’s now been a decade since the city had a team playing in J1.

The purple-clad team made international news for the wrong reasons in November. They were subject to a 13-1 loss at the hands of J2 Champions, Kashiwa Reysol; ensuring Kyoto’s season finished there and then when a victory would have seen through to the playoffs given the other results.

Two points off the post-season, but 12 goals behind division champions invigorated change for Daisuke Yamanaka, who’s given the green light for a rehaul. Eleven free transfers in the transfer window are indictive, this year Kyoto Sanga means business.

Tadanari Lee won the top-flight championship for the first time in his advancing years at 33 last year with Yokohama F.Marinos. This trophy completed his Japanese top-flight set, having won the Emperor’s Cup, J.League Cup as well as the Fuji Xerox Super Cup with Urawa Red Diamonds previously. Add in his success in the Asian Champions League, then Lee could retire with success attributed to his name.

Affectionately known as Chung to some, the veteran striker didn’t eye hanging up his boots when his contract ended with the J.League champions but set himself a new challenge. Proclaiming on twitter that he desires another unique trophy, wishing to add to the J2 trophy to his collection. Later adding he is joining Kyoto Sanga to do so. Given Lee has played over 450 games in his career with top clubs like Yokohama, Urawa and Sanfrecce Hiroshima – not to mention having been cherrypicked from Japan to play for Premier League outfit, Southampton – Lee’s presence goes a long way. His combined tutorship, wisdom and goal-scoring should steer the youngsters/the club in the right direction.

Accompanying him in the ‘successful veteran striker’ department is Peter Utaka. The former Nigerian-international elevated Ventforet Kofu to the post-season playoffs last year, with his 20 goal tally. Having scored over 200 career goals with teams like Shimizu S-Pulse, Sanfrecce and FC Tokyo in J1 before, it’s another critical signing which will bring the necessary firepower as well as experience to climb the table. Should Utaka line up with Lee in a strike partnership, the front line might not be the fastest but an incredibly experienced one.

Ryota Moriwaki brings experience to the other side of the pitch, joining from Urawa. At 33-years-old, the defender his more than qualified for Kyoto in J2, having won the ACL two years ago. Often pictured smiling, Moriwaki had to grin from the bench last year as his involvement became less and less frequent as the season progressed.