As the full-time whistle blew at the NHK Spring Mitsuzawa Stadium on 5 July, Anderson Lopes was overcome with emotion. He hugged every teammate, took a lap of honour, and paid tribute to the Yokohama F. Marinos fans who had supported him so fervently over the years.
The Brazilian striker had just slotted home a decisive 78th-minute penalty in the Yokohama derby — a fitting final act in what had been a fairytale chapter with one of Japan’s most storied clubs.
“To score in my last-ever game for the club, and for it to be the winning goal in a derby, was perfect. I just couldn’t hold back my tears,” said Anderson, who spoke through a translator.
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Over four prolific seasons with Yokohama, Anderson lifted the 2022 J1 League title and the 2023 Japanese Super Cup, reached the 2023/24 Asian Football Confederation Champions League (ACL) final, and clinched back-to-back J1 League Golden Boots. His haul of 81 goals in 157 games made him the club’s second-highest scorer of all time, behind only the iconic Shunsuke Nakamura (85).
Unsurprisingly, Anderson became a cult hero at Yokohama, and fans turned up in droves at the airport to send him off when he left Japan for a new chapter in Singapore.
“I feel very touched by the love shown by the fans and I’ll never forget them,” he reflected. “Those four years at Yokohama were the best of my career. I still had two years left on my contract, but I knew I needed a new challenge, and I believe I’ve made the best decision for me and my family.”
That decision was to trade comfort for challenge, and make the bold move to join the Lion City Sailors in Singapore.
Lured by ambition
It takes something special to prise Anderson away from a comfortable and successful environment, but the Sailors’ ambition and drive did just that.
“Honestly, I didn’t know much about the Sailors or the Singapore Premier League (SPL), but the club showed me many good things, and I knew they were ACL Two finalists last season,” said Anderson, who had offers from clubs in China, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
“I’m someone who loves a challenge – that’s why I came here. Everyone has taken really good care of me since I arrived. It already feels like a family.”
A proven performer on Asia’s biggest stage
A challenge it may be, but Anderson thrives under pressure – especially on Asia’s biggest stages. Across three ACL campaigns, he has scored 18 goals and provided six assists in just 25 appearances.
Nine of those goals came in the most recent 2024/25 edition, including three goals across both legs of the Round of 16 tie against Chinese giants Shanghai Port. That tally saw him outscore the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Aleksandar Mitrović, and Ivan Toney – all proven names from Europe’s top leagues.
It is exactly this pedigree that the Sailors will lean on as they look to scale new heights in continental competition.
“The ACL is my favourite competition because you’re always playing against the best teams in Asia,” he said. “Now I’m playing in ACL Two with the Sailors, but that’s okay. I’ll still give my best to help the team. Hopefully we win the title and qualify for the Elite next season.”
From the favelas to the world
Despite having played in the top Asian leagues – Japan, South Korea, and China – and scoring 100 goals in J1, Anderson remains as hungry as ever. That relentless drive, he says, comes from his roots in Recife, one of Brazil’s oldest cities.
“Nothing comes easy for us Brazilians,” he said. “I’ve had to work extremely hard to get to where I am in my career. That’s why I never take anything for granted. I give more than 100 percent in training and matches to help my teammates.
“Sometimes the ball doesn’t fall for me, but my mentality stays strong. I always believe I’ll score.”
Ready to shoulder the weight
As one of the biggest signings in Sailors’ history – and with the eyes of the Singapore football fraternity firmly on him – Anderson is well aware of the expectations that come with the role.
But pressure? That does not faze him one bit.
“I know there’s a lot of attention on my transfer, but honestly I don’t feel that pressured,” he said. “I’m here to work hard, to be the best, and to achieve as much – or even more – than I did at Yokohama.
“I can’t promise how many goals I’ll score, but what I can promise is I’ll fight hard every game to help the club win trophies.”
