Cerezo Osaka on Friday announced the release of midfielders Jumpei Kusukami and Takeru Okada.

Kusukami scored three goals in 22 appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League, while Okada was an unused substitute in one match this season.

However, the club were unable to retain the services of the pair given they are due to spend another season in the second tier, after losing the promotion play-off to Avispa Fukuoka.

“Despite the opportunity to experience so many things, I’m sorry to our supporters that I did not achieve good results,” Kusukami said. 

“As a player, I’m grateful to all of you for creating such a great atmosphere in the J1 promotion play-off.”