Arsenal sign promising Japanese striker

London (AFP) – Arsenal have agreed a deal to bring 21-year-old Japanese international striker Takuma Asano to North London from J-League side Sanfrecce Hiroshima, the Premier League club said on Sunday.

Capped five times by Japan, Asano is in line for the Japanese squad at the Rio Games, was rookie of the year in Japan last season and has won the J-League title twice.

The move is still subject to a medical and the club are yet to reveal details of the deal.

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger said he was looking forward to working with Asano who he described as “a talented young striker and very much one for the future,” on Arsenal’s website.

“He has had an impressive start to his career in Japan and we look forward to him developing over the next couple of years,” added the veteran French manager, whose side finished runners-up to shock champions Leicester City in last season’s Premier League.

Takuma signed for Sanfrecce Hiroshima aged 18 and scored 11 goals in 56 appearances for the club.