Japan striker Takayuki Suzuki has rejoined J. League club Kashima Antlers after a disappointing loan spell at Belgian first division side Genk, Kashima officials said Friday.

The lanky 27-year-old forward joined Genk on a one-year loan deal after impressing at last year's World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea but was unable to gain a regular place in the first team. Suzuki spent most of his time in Belgium on the substitutes' bench and failed to score a single goal for Genk in 19 league appearances and six matches in the European Champions League.