Puma Match-Issue keepersshirt Cerezo Osaka 2017

Cerezo Osaka was founded in 1957 as Yanmar Diesel FC, the football team of Yanmar, a Japanese engine manufacturer. It was one of the most successful clubs in Japanese professional football until the 1970s, but when professional football was introduced in those years, the club's fortunes declined. In the early 1990s, the club was relegated from the then-top division (Japan Football League) and was therefore not included in the J-League plans.

In 1993, Yanmar professionalized the club. The club was founded on December 9 of that year as Osaka Football Club, but quickly changed its name to the current Cerezo Osaka. Cerezo is the Spanish word for cherry blossom. The cherry blossom is depicted in the Osaka city coat of arms, and the club colors are linked to this color.

Cerezo Osaka wasn't particularly successful in the J-League, but it did emerge as a cup contender in the Emperor's Cup, reaching three finals, all of which it lost. In 2005, however, they battled for the J-League title until the final matchday. It was therefore surprising when Cerezo Osaka was relegated a year later as the second-to-last team in the J1 division. This marks the second time since 2007 that they have played in the J2 division. They were also relegated in 2001, but returned to the top flight a year later.