Free agent Shigeki Noguchi will leave the Chunichi Dragons and has decided to join Central League rival the Yomiuri Giants, baseball sources said Wednesday.

News photoFormer Chunichi Dragons lefty Shigeki Noguchi appears in this July 30, 2003, file photo. Noguchi signed with the Yomiuri Giants as a free agent.

Noguchi, who had indicated he may find a new home, held talks with representatives of both teams in Nagoya the same day, and the left-hander is expected to agree on a deal with Yomiuri by the end of this month.

"Yomiuri told me they need me on the team and that pleased me," said Noguchi, who had also attracted interest from the Hanshin Tigers.