Gamba Osaka on Thursday announced the full transfer of midfielder Yosuke Ideguchi to England’s Leeds United.

Ideguchi, who was promoted from the club’s academy in 2014, scored four goals in 30 MEIJI YASUDA J1 League appearances last season. 

He has also recently featured for the Samurai Blue, scoring in the team’s World Cup-clinching win against Australia last August.

“I’ve spent nine years with this club through junior high, high school, and my professional career; without Gamba Osaka I would not be where I am today and I can’t thank them enough,” Ideguchi said. 

“I wanted to become the kind of player capable of bringing many titles to this club, but in order to improve further I want to challenge myself and made the decision to move overseas.

“This is difficult for me, but I want to work hard every day in order to prove that this transfer was worth it and I hope I will have your continued support.”