Jefferson Tabinas
Filipino footballer (born 1998)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jefferson David Tabinas (Japanese: タビナス ジェファーソン; born August 7, 1998)[2] is a professional footballer who plays as a left-back or a centre-back for Thai League 1 club Chonburi. Born in Japan, he plays for the Philippines national team.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Jefferson David Tabinas | ||
| Date of birth | August 7, 1998 | ||
| Place of birth | Shinjuku, Japan | ||
| Height | 1.83 m (6 ft 0 in)[1] | ||
| Positions | |||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Chonburi | ||
| Youth career | |||
| FC Waseda | |||
| FC Toripletta | |||
| 2014–2016 | Toko Gakuen High School | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2017–2020 | Kawasaki Frontale | 0 | (0) |
| 2019 | → FC Gifu (loan) | 8 | (0) |
| 2020 | → Gamba Osaka U-23 (loan) | 30 | (0) |
| 2021–2023 | Mito HollyHock | 74 | (2) |
| 2024–2025 | Buriram United | 43 | (3) |
| 2025– | Chonburi | 18 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2021– | Philippines | 25 | (5) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 11 January 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 18 November 2025 | |||
Club career
Youth career
Born in Japan, Tabinas spent his youth with Waseda and Toripletta before studying at Toko Gakuen High School, for which he played and was named captain in his third high school year.[2][3]
Kawasaki Frontale
After the high school tournament, Tabinas was signed by J1 League club Kawasaki Frontale for the 2017 season.[4] Kawasaki Frontale won the 2017 and 2018 seasons of the J1 League, but Tabinas had no appearances for the team.[2][5]
Loan to Gifu
In the 2019 season, he was loaned out to Gifu of the J2 League.[6] He made his first J.League appearance in a match against Ehime on 7 April, where they lost 2–0.[7][8] He made his Emperor's Cup debut when they entered in the second round on 3 July and were eliminated by Ventforet Kofu.[9][10] Tabinas made seven more league appearances, however, the club finished at the bottom of the table and were relegated.[2][11]
Loan to Gamba Osaka U23
Tabinas spent the 2020 season on loan with Gamba Osaka U-23 in the J3 League.
Mito HollyHock
In January 2021, Tabinas transferred to Mito HollyHock of the J2 League.[2] He scored his first J.League goal in a 2–2 draw with Renofa Yamaguchi on 17 October.[12]
Buriram United
On 7 January 2024, Tabinas moved to Thai League 1 giants Buriram United. He made his debut in a 2–1 league win against Lamphun Warriors on 11 February. Tabinas provided an assist to Supachai Chaided which saw his club coming back from 2–0 down to a 3–2 home win against Bangkok United on 3 March. He scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win against Muangthong United on 27 April.
In the 2024–25 season, Tabinas make a total of 46 appearances for the club scoring 5 goals and 7 assists.
Loan to Chonburi
On 5 June 2025, Tabinas joined Chonburi on loan for the 2025–26 Thai League 1 season.
International career
Born in Japan to a Ghanaian father and a Filipino mother, Tabinas was eligible to present Japan, Ghana or Philippines at international level.
In 2016, Tabinas expressed his desire to represent Japan at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.[3]
Philippines
In May 2021, he was called up to the Philippines national team for the joint qualifiers of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and 2023 AFC Asian Cup.[13] He made his debut on 7 June in a 0–2 defeat to China PR in Sharjah, UAE.[14][15]
Tabinas scored his first international goal against Malaysia on 4 September 2024 during the 2024 Merdeka Tournament.
International goals
| No. | Date | Venue | Opponent | Score | Result | Competition |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 4 September 2024 | Bukit Jalil National Stadium, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |  Malaysia | 1–0 | 1–2 | 2024 Pestabola Merdeka |
| 2. | 14 October 2024 | Tinsulanon Stadium, Songkhla, Thailand |  Tajikistan | 2–0 | 3–0 | 2024 King's Cup |
| 3. | 25 March 2025 | New Clark City Athletics Stadium, Capas, Philippines |  Maldives | 1–0 | 4–1 | 2027 AFC Asian Cup qualification |
| 4 | 14 October 2025 |  Timor-Leste | 1–1 | 3–1 | ||
| 5. | 18 November 2025 | National Football Stadium, Malé, Maldives | Maldives | 1–0 | 2–0 |
Personal life
Honours
Kawasaki Frontale
Buriram United
