OSAKA -- Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto is set to join English Premier League side West Ham United in a move that will make him the first Japanese player to join a English club, Gamba officials said Thursday.

Gamba had turned down a bid from West Ham for the defender in September, but were later turned down themselves when they offered a new contract to Miyamoto.

The 23-year-old Miyamoto, eager to move abroad, is currently in negotiations with the Hammers.

Miyamoto played his first full international against Bolivia at the Kirin Cup in June and was also a member of the Japanese side that reached the quarterfinals of the Sydney Olympics.

Kazu released

KYOTO (Kyodo) Kyoto Purple Sanga on Thursday released former Japan star Kazuyoshi Miura, officials of the relegated J. League side said.

J. League's best

The J. League on Thursday named eight players from 1999 J. League champion Jubilo Iwata among 35 candidates for this season's "Best Eleven."

Jubilo teammates Daisuke Oku and Naohiro Takahara join veteran striker Masashi Nakayama, the league's top scorer with 20 goals, on the candidates list, which also includes Hideaki Kitajima of Kashiwa Reysol and Koji Nakata of second-stage winners the Kashima Antlers.

Sanfrecce Hiroshima midfielder Kazuyuki Morisaki, Kawasaki Frontale striker Kazuki Ganaha and Kyoto Purple Sanga midfielder Daisuke Matsui are the three nominees for "rookie of the year" honors.

The J. League will announce the player of the year and the all-star squad selected from the 35 nominees at Yokohama Arena on Dec. 11.

Kobe's Koreans cut

Vissel Kobe's South Korean international midfielders Ha Seok Ju and Choi Sung Yong will leave the J. League Division One club after the season-closing Emperor's Cup, Kobe announced Friday.

Ha, 32, who has played 65 games for Kobe since 1998 after joining from Cerezo Osaka, is expected to play for a South Korean League team next season. Choi, meanwhile, is looking for a team in Europe. Choi, 24, has played 51 league games for Kobe over the last two seasons.