FC Machida Zelvia GK Eisatsu Arai Transfers Permanently to Urawa Reds: Farewell Voices from Machida

Arai hails from Sakado City, Saitama Prefecture, and stands 188cm tall weighing 84kg — a goalkeeper with an outstanding physique.
He began his professional career at Shimizu S-Pulse in 2018 after attending Seibudai High School and graduating from Ryutsu Keizai University.
He then moved through Zweigen Kanazawa (loan), Blaublitz Akita, and Oita Trinita before joining Machida on a permanent transfer in the summer of 2024.

Two Years in Machida and the Player's Words of Gratitude

From his arrival in the summer of 2024 through today, Arai spent approximately two years with Machida Zelvia.
While his opportunities in official matches were limited, it was a time in which he trained daily alongside players at Japan's top level, building the foundations of his career.
In his transfer announcement, Arai commented as follows.

"Thanks to the manager and all the staff, the manager, the medical team — the best possible environment — the fans and supporters, and above all the top-level players in Japan, I feel as though I have been revived, both physically and mentally, as a footballer."

His words overflow with gratitude for the quality and intensity of training, and for the staff and fellow players around him.
They also speak to how rich an environment had been built at Nodatsu.

Urawa Reds as "My Starting Point"

Urawa Reds is a very special club for Arai.
The very first professional match he ever watched as a child was a Urawa match at Saitama Stadium 2002, Urawa's home ground.
"Looking back now, that's where it all began for me," he reflects — and with the pride of a Sakado City, Saitama native, he returns to the club of his roots.

Arai, who has moved between clubs many times throughout his career as a goalkeeper, now aims to finally seize his chance to play, and that determination is enough to make anyone want to cheer him on.

Farewell Voices from Machida Supporters Spreading on X

As news of the transfer spread on X (formerly Twitter), a flood of comments poured in from Machida supporters.
Warm messages of gratitude and wishes for his success at Urawa spread across timelines.

Although he did not feature often in official matches, it is clear that he is etched into the memories of many supporters as someone who kept supporting the team.
Farewell. That is the feeling drifting through Nodatsu today.

Let's Cheer on the Players Who Have Flown the Nest from Machida

As a club competing on the J1 stage, FC Machida Zelvia is seeing greater player turnover.
While farewells are always bittersweet for supporters, there is something to be proud of in seeing Machida become a club that nurtures players and sends them on to the next stage.

From Machida City, we send our heartfelt cheers for Eisatsu Arai's success at Urawa Reds.
Please keep checking in for more news on FC Machida Zelvia.

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