The Rowdies have resigned all-star defender Takuya Yamada, the longest tenured Rowdies player, it was announced Friday. The Japanese native signed a one-year contract for the 2013 season in search of defending the NASL Soccer bowl Trophy.

Yamada has played with the Rowdies since the inaugural 2010 season, being named in the 2012 NASL Best XI after leading the league in the regular season with 2,520 minutes played. Starting in all 28 regular season matches and two post-season matches in 2012, Yamada showed both his offensive and defensive talents. He was named NASL Defensive Player of the week on September 10, and proved to be a crucial part of the 2012 championship team.

Prior to joining the Rowdies, the iconic Japanese player known as one of the best utility players produced by his country, played at Sagan Tosu in the Japan Professional Football League during the 2009 season where he had 43 appearances and six goals.