Japan international striker Naohiro Takahara will transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt from fellow German Bundesliga side Hamburg SV, his management office said Sunday.
Hamburg SV striker Naohiro Takahara controls the ball during Saturday's German Bundesliga match against Werder Bremen.
Both clubs have reached an agreement on a three-year contract running from July 1 for the 26-year-old, who had repeatedly expressed hopes of moving from Hamburg SV for more playing time.
Takahara, who also has had stints with J. League club Jubilo Iwata and Argentine side Boca Juniors, did not play the full 90 minutes in any of Hamburg's league matches in the 2005-2006 season and scored only one goal.
The news of his transfer came on the eve of the announcement of Japan's squad for the upcoming World Cup finals in Germany.
Takahara is expected to be named to coach Zico's 23-man party after missing the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea due to deep vein thrombosis, a disorder also known as economy class syndrome. He has played for his country 40 times with 15 goals.
