Tolgay Arslan’s Global Adventure: Leading Sanfrecce Hiroshima's Charge for the J.League Title

Arslan, born in Paderborn, West Germany, in August 1990 to Turkish parents, grew up in a world of change, with the Berlin Wall falling less than a year before his birth. His football development began at Borussia Dortmund, but his professional career kicked off at Hamburg, about 300 kilometers from his hometown. His heritage and international upbringing foreshadowed the global path his football career would take.

His first move outside of Germany was to Turkey, where he played for the country's giants, Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe. Arslan then experienced Italian football with Udinese, before venturing further afield to Australia, a land he had always dreamed of living in. Having relatives in Melbourne made joining Melbourne City an easy choice. Now, his adventure has brought him to Japan, to Sanfrecce Hiroshima, where he finds himself in a pivotal role as the club unexpectedly pushes for a J.League title.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima, one of Japan’s most storied football clubs, has a history dating back to 1938. A founding member of the Japan Soccer League and its successor, the J.League, Sanfrecce has claimed three J1 League titles and several domestic cups. Despite their rich history, it has been nearly a decade since they last won the league. Midway through the 2024 season, a fourth title seemed out of reach as debutants Machida Zelvia led the table, and Sanfrecce were 12 points adrift in fifth place. Rivals like Vissel Kobe and Kashima Antlers appeared more likely challengers to Zelvia’s fairytale run.

Sanfrecce’s fortunes changed partly due to the midseason signing of Tolgay Arslan, who had just finished a successful season in Australia’s A-League. His relationship with Sanfrecce coach Michael Skibbe, whom he had known since childhood, made the decision to move to Japan easier. The two, along with assistant coach Serhat Umar, had long discussed Arslan's future, and Hiroshima seemed like the perfect fit. Despite having to quickly regain fitness after joining the team directly from a holiday, Arslan immediately made an impact.

In his first nine games with the club, Arslan scored seven goals, including a hat-trick in a crucial 3-2 victory over FC Tokyo and a brace in a 2-0 win against Cerezo Osaka. His leadership and determination helped Sanfrecce close the gap on the leaders, and with five games remaining, they had overtaken Vissel Kobe by a single point. Machida Zelvia, the surprise early leader, had dropped to third place, six points behind. Now, Sanfrecce was in control of their destiny, with the J.League title tantalizingly close.

Arslan’s influence extended beyond his goal-scoring abilities. He quickly established himself as a leader in the squad, helping to shift the team's mindset. Reflecting on his role, Arslan noted how the team's mentality had changed since his arrival. In situations where the team previously seemed content with draws, he pushed for more. His "no draws, no losses" mentality infused a winning spirit into the squad, which was essential in their remarkable turnaround.

Having lived and played in various countries, Arslan is no stranger to adapting to new football cultures. He was already familiar with Asian football, having been impressed by second-tier Japanese club Ventforet Kofu when they played against Melbourne City in the AFC Champions League. This exposure sparked his interest in Japanese football and was a factor in his decision to move to the J.League. Arslan believes that many foreign players in the past have underestimated the quality of Japanese football, but he recognized early on the league's high standards.

While Arslan has experienced a wide range of football cultures, he also shares a close bond with one of Asia’s greatest players, Son Heung-min. The two came through the youth ranks together at Hamburg, and their friendship has endured over the years. In May 2024, a viral social media post showed the two friends reuniting in Melbourne when Son’s Tottenham Hotspur played a friendly against Newcastle United. For Arslan, this was a special moment, as their busy schedules had kept them apart for several years. Their close bond, formed during their youth days in Germany, remains strong, with both players sharing a deep mutual respect.

Arslan has had a long and eventful career, and while he has regrets, such as never playing senior international football, he is grateful for the opportunities football has given him. He is fluent in four languages and has studied sports management, with a future goal of becoming a sporting director. For now, though, his focus remains on playing, and he hopes to leave a lasting impact on Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Arslan jokes that he thought moving outside of Europe would mean easier training sessions, but the intensity in Japan has proven otherwise.

As Arslan approaches the final five games of the season, he knows that winning the J.League would be the perfect way to cap off his time in Japan. He has already given the people of Hiroshima much to cheer about, and with his leadership and goal-scoring ability, he could deliver a league title to a city that has embraced him. For Arslan, it’s just another chapter in a footballing journey that has taken him around the world, and perhaps, it will end with a third league title to add to his collection.

Arslan’s sense of adventure has taken him far, and with the J.League title in sight, his story in Japan may soon become one of his greatest achievements yet.