Cerezo Osaka on Monday announced the signing of Shohei Kiyohara from Zweigen Kanazawa on a full transfer.

The attacking midfielder scored 13 goals in 42 MEIJI YASUDA J2 League appearances this season, greatly contributing to Zweigen’s stunning form in the initial stages of 2015.

Kiyohara signing arrives as a statement of intent from Kiyoshi Okuma troops, with the side determined to secure promotion back to the top-flight next season.

“I want to give 100 per cent in order to help Cerezo Osaka achieve promotion,” Kiyohara commented. “Thank you for your support.”

The 28-year-old is expected to form the backbone of midfield along with fellow club old face Mitsuru Maruoka, who returned from Borussia Dortmund last Thursday.

Cerezo narrowly missed their target this term, losing in the MEIJI YASUDA J1 League promotion play-off to Avispa Fukuoka.