Jefferson Tabinas


Jefferson David Tabinas 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.

Club career

Youth career

Born in Japan, Tabinas spent his youth with Waseda and Toripletta before studying at, for which he played and was named captain in his third high school year.

Kawasaki Frontale

After the high school tournament, Tabinas was signed by J1 League club Kawasaki Frontale for the 2017 season. Kawasaki Frontale won the 2017 and 2018 seasons of the J1 League, but Tabinas had no appearances for the team.

Loan to Gifu

In the 2019 season, he was loaned out to Gifu of the J2 League. He made his first J.League appearance in a match against Ehime on 7 April, where they lost 2–0. He made his Emperor's Cup debut when they entered in the second round on 3 July and were eliminated by Ventforet Kofu. Tabinas made seven more league appearances, however, the club finished at the bottom of the table and were relegated.

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. He scored his first J.League goal in a 2–2 draw with Renofa Yamaguchi on 17 October.

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.

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. He made his debut on 7 June in a 0–2 defeat to China PR in Sharjah, UAE.
Tabinas scored his first international goal against Malaysia on 4 September 2024 during the 2024 Merdeka Tournament.

Personal life

Tabinas was born in Japan to a Ghanaian father and Filipino mother. His younger brother, Paul, is also a footballer.

Honours

Kawasaki Frontale
Buriram United