Japan striker Okubo to sign for Wolfsburg

January 3, 2009

TOKYO (AFP) – Former Real Mallorca striker Yoshito Okubo will join fellow Japan midfielder Makoto Hasebe at German Bundesliga side Wolfsburg, his J-League club announced Saturday.

"The two clubs reached an agreement in monetary terms on Okubo’s transfer to Wolfsburg on late Wednesday night," Vissel Kobe said in a statement without disclosing any figures.

Okubo, 26, was to fly to Germany on Sunday to undergo a medical check and sign a contract with the German first division club, the statement said.

It will be a second chance for Okubo to ply his trade in Europe after his unimpressive stint with Spanish side Real Mallorca from January 2005 to July 2006. He scored five goals in 39 La Liga appearances.

Okubo rejoined J-League strugglers Cerezo Osaka after the Spanish experience and moved to Vissel Kobe in early 2007.

He has struck 64 goals in 149 J-League matches and five goals in 33 games for Japan since his international debut in 2003. All the goals for the national team came in 2007 and 2008.

Hasebe joined Wolfsburg from J-League powerhouse Urawa Reds in early 2008.

Written by: AFP

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