Yohei Nishibe put his return to Shimizu S-Pulse on Wednesday down to fate.
The former Kawasaki Frontale goalkeeper rejoined the side he left in 2010, after a separate spell at Shonan Bellmare.
“I think that coming back to the club at this point in time is fate,” Nishibe commented.
The 35-year-old will team up with his old side as they attempt to secure promotion back to the top-flight at the first time of asking.