Kaya FC-Iloilo Signs Azkals Forward Jarvey Gayoso After a loan spell with Kaya last year, the ace striker's back for the 2022 Season.

Kaya FC-Iloilo is thrilled to announce the club’s latest offseason signing: Javier Augustine “Jarvey” Gayoso. A prolific goalscorer with the versatility to make an impact anywhere on the pitch, the 6’1” forward is one of the country’s premier homegrown talents—one that will continue to be fostered at Kaya.

Before turning professional, Gayoso starred for Ateneo de Manila University; collecting two UAAP Football Titles, two MVP Honors, and four Best Striker Awards in his four-year collegiate career. Internationally, he played for the Philippines U-19 & U-23 squads before advancing to the Azkals proper—earning his first Senior Team cap at the CTFA International Tournament at the age of 20. Most recently, he was involved in the World Cup Qualifiers in 2021.

Jarvey will be turning 25 soon, which means he’ll be coming in with quite a bit of experience under his belt already. Though he played as a striker for most of his life, he’s had to adapt to other positions such as wingback and midfielder over the course of his time with both the National Team and his former side, ADT. This has helped him become more of an all-around player, making him even more of an asset to Kaya’s overall depth this coming season.

His arrival follows that of his Azkals teammates: Mar Vincent Diano, Oskari Kekkonen, and Sandro Reyes—but unlike his fellow signees, this isn’t the first time their former captain has donned the yellow and black. Gayoso joined the squad on loan for last year’s AFC Champions League run, before he briefly returned to the Azkals Development Team for the Copa Paulino Alcantara. Now, he’s back with Iloilo and ready to take on all the challenges Kaya has ahead.

“It feels great to be back with the Kaya family!” Jarvey said in a statement.

“My decision to be part of Kaya again is because my family and I believe in the opportunity and exposure playing here will give me—looking at my personal journey as an athlete,” he added. “I know they will look out for my best interests, and I in return will work my hardest for the club.”

Kaya President & GM Paul Tolentino weighed in, noting his excitement about the move and for the promising forward to get a chance to truly become part of the team.

“Jarvey is a player we had the chance to work with for only a very short amount of time last season as he was on loan for the Champions League campaign only. We are looking forward to working with him for a whole season this time and to properly integrate him into the club’s system and playing style,” Tolentino stated. “We also want to help him further develop and take the next step in his career moving forward. We feel confident we can be a big part in that process, and we also hope to win some silverware together.”

The striker was simply sensational in last year’s Copa, in which he went on a scoring spree that included a five-goal performance against Mendiola FC 1991. His tournament would be cut short however, after he went down with an injury in the second half of the Cup Semifinal. Nevertheless, Gayoso still took home the Golden Boot and finished as the competition’s top goalscorer.

“The past months have been difficult, having to recover from my hamstring injury and get back to my best form. All I know is that being with Kaya, I will be able to push myself to be the best player I can be,” he stated.

With his full potential still ahead of him, fans will have a lot to look forward to when the man makes his return to the pitch. Bright days are ahead, and no one believes it more than Jarvey himself.

“Definitely no other expectations but to win the PFL, enter the AFC Champions League once again, or win the AFC Cup.”