J. League first-division side Verdy Kawasaki started its new life as Tokyo Verdy 1969 ahead of the upcoming season on Thursday, officially announcing a change of name at a party in Tokyo.
Verdy will share a new 50,000-seat stadium in Chofu with first division rivals FC Tokyo.
The two sides will meet in the league's first-ever Tokyo derby when the J. League's first division kicks off the 2001 season on March 10.