Cerezo Osaka have announced the sale of Japan regular Hotaru Yamaguchi to Bundesliga team Hannover 96. 

The 25-year-old will depart for Germany’s top-flight in January when the European transfer market opens.

Yamaguchi made 35 appearances in the MEIJI YASUDA J2 League this season, but their failure to secure promotion forced Cerezo to accept Hannover’s bid.

Already an experienced international, having turned out 24 times for the Samurai Blue and with over 100 appearances in the Japanese first division, the defensive midfielder was an attractive target for the Lower Saxony side.

His switch will see him team up with compatriots Hiroki Sakai and Hiroshi Kiyotake at HDI Arena this season as they battle to stave off relegation for the Reds.

Yamaguchi will be aiming to reproduce Shinji Kagawa’s claim to fame, given the latter likewise moved to the Bundesliga after spending four seasons with Cerezo.