Former Japan international goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi teamed up with SC Sagamihara on Friday after chairman Shigeyoshi Mochizuki pushed for his signing from FC Gifu.
Kawaguchi, who played for Portsmouth, Nordsjaelland and Jubilo Iwata in the past, made over 100 appearances for the Samurai Blue since making his national debut in 1997.
And the 40-year-old has revealed he joined Sagamihara at the behest of Mochizuki, who convinced him to accept the new challenge of playing in the MEIJI YASUDA J3 League.
“Mochizuki, who was my high school senior, called me to persuade me,” Kawaguchi said in a club statement.
“I am very grateful for this new opportunity that has been presented to me by Sagamihara, and I want to put my body and soul into becoming a part of the club’s history.”