The Yokohama F. Marinos have signed former Japan striker Tatsuhiko Kubo from relegated Sanfrecce Hiroshima, officials of the J. League first-division side said Monday.
The lanky 26-year-old, who was also being courted by league champion Jubilo Iwata, decided to join Takeshi Okada's side after Hiroshima failed to persuade him to stay.
"I decided as a player that the best move for me would be to play in new surroundings," Kubo said.
Kubo made his league debut in 1996 and scored 67 goals in 183 appearances for Hiroshima. But he failed to find the net in 14 matches for Japan and was left out of last summer's World Cup squad.