Bare is BACK!

Last week Ventforet Kofu reported that they were about to re-sign the legendary forward named Jader Volnei Spindler – better known as Bare! Technically, as the making of legends go, Bare probably made more of a name with Gamba Osaka after he left Kofu for pastures greener but any player who scores SIX goals in a single match as important as a promotion play-off probably sealed his legendary status right there and then!

Before appearing for Ventforet the young Brazilian had two spells at Omiya Ardija. The first came in 2001 as a “special case/under minimum age” foreign player, and even then he racked up 13 goals in his 30 appearances. He returned to Ardija in 2003 after two very unassuming seasons in Brazil and his 37 goals in 84 matches was key to Ardija getting promotion to J1. Then came the move to Ventforet and a very creditable 37 strikes in 67 games.

Bare did eventially make that move to Gamba Osaka in 2007 – following in the footsteps of Araujo and Magno Alves, and preceding other Brazilians like Leandro, who all came to Gamba via their excellent scouting network – a network that often took lesser-known Brazilians at smaller clubs to greater heights, before selling them off – or seeing them lured away – to Arabic clubs.

Bare scored 30 goals in less than 50 games for Gamba before garnering a reported 5 million Euros-plus transfer fee from Dubai’s Al-Ahli, who he helped win the league title the year after with 22 goals in 37 matches.

Gamba fans will always remember Bare’s performance in the Pan-Pacific Championship, of course, when he scored four goals in the final against Houston Dynamo, in a 6–1 victory for Gamba!

The player did return to Japan after his Arabian adventure, to play for Shimizu S-Pulse in 2012-13, when he managed four more J.goals in 16 appearances before moving to Tianjin Teda in Korea, where his output has been far less prolific. Will he be able to help Ventforet stave off relegation in 2015? Adriano – another player that Gamba picked up, “improved” and sold off is currently plying his trade in Kofu, also, but seems to have seen his best days already. Will Bare go the same way? Or will the legend see a new chapter written?

Ventforet Kofu officials hope to have their new marksman in the team on May 10th, against Shonan Bellmare, if the paperwork goes to plan. Golden Week won’t help in the registration department, but after a hectic holiday campaign some fresh blood and a new hope may be just what is needed for the perennial strugglers of Yamanashi. Beware, Bellmare, beware! This imposing 6 ft. 3 in. striker isn’t coming for a holiday!