# Seia Kunori

Seia Kunori (久乗 聖亜, Kunori Seia, born 31 March 2001), also known in Singapore as just Seia, is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a striker or attacking midfielder for Singapore Premier League club Tampines Rovers.

## Early career
### High school

While in junior high school, Kunori played for the academy of professional club Kyoto Sanga. He played as a midfielder, but his opportunities were limited due to the form of Shimpei Fukuoka and Genki Egawa. Having failed to establish himself in the Kyoto Sanga youth team, he moved to Higashiyama High School, where he was converted to a striker, and established himself in the team.

### Kansai University

Kunori committed to playing football at Kansai University. He scored once in the 2022 Emperor's Cup, in a 2–0 win over FC Osaka.

## Club career
### Albirex Niigata Singapore

In January 2023, it was announced that Kunori would join Singaporean club, Albirex Niigata (S) for the 2023 Singapore Premier League season. He made his debut in the Singapore Community Shield, scoring once in a 3–0 win against Hougang United.
On 5 April 2023, Kunori scored his first hat-trick for the club against Balestier Khalsa with Albirex Niigata (S) winning the game 6–1. On 3 August, he scored four goals against Geylang International in a 6–1 win in which he also get himself his second hat-trick of the season. Kunori helped the club to retained the league title and finishing as the third highest league goal scorer behind Maxime Lestienne and fellow countrymen, Ryoya Tanigushi with 21 goals in 23 league appearances. In the 2023 Singapore Cup fixtures on 24 September, he rescued his team from a 1–0 deficit to draw level at 1–1 against DPMM.
Kunori would go on to win the league title at the end of the season with Albirex Niigata. During the Football Association of Singapore Awards Night, he won the 2023 Young Player of the Year award and also being named in the league 2023 Singapore Premier League 'Team of the Year'.

### Tampines Rovers

On 27 January 2024, Kunori moved to Tampines Rovers ahead of the 2024–25 season. He scored a brace on his debut on 12 May in a 3–1 over his former club Albirex Niigata (S). During the club 2024–25 AFC Champions League Two campaign on 18 September, Kunori scored a brace in a 4–2 lost against Thailand club Bangkok United at the Thammasat Stadium.

## Style of play

A forward with good technique, skilful dribbler and pinpoint passing ability, Kunori is also highly regarded for his vision and situational awareness. He has been compared to fellow Japanese footballer Daichi Kamada for his style of play.

## Honours

Albirex Niigata (S)
* Singapore Premier League: 2023
* Singapore Community Shield: 2023
Individual
* Singapore Premier League Young Player of the Year: 2023
* Singapore Premier League Team of the Year: 2023

## Career statistics
### Club

    As of 26 Sept 2023.
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition :
| Club | Season | League | League | League | Cup | Cup | AFC/ACL | AFC/ACL | Other | Other | Total | Total |
| Club | Season | Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals |
| Kansai University | 2022 | – | – | – | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| Albirex Niigata (S) | 2023 | Singapore Premier League | 23 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 23 |
| Tampines Rovers | 2024–25 | Singapore Premier League | 20 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 25 | 18 |
| Career total | Career total | Career total | 37 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 52 | 42 |

#### Notes

* ↑ Appearances in the Emperor's Cup
* ↑ Appearances in the Singapore Community Shield