NAGOYA (Kyodo) Nagoya Grampus defender Maya Yoshida will join Dutch first-division club VVV Venlo, the J. League side said Monday.
The 21-year-old's contract is for three and a half years with an annual salary of more than 500,000 euro ($720,000), the minimum wage guaranteed to a non-EU player, according to sources familiar with the negotiations.
"I wanted to play overseas," said Yoshida. "I hope to win the Emperor's Cup and bid farewell to my teammates on a high note."
Nagoya faces Shimizu S-Pulse in the Emperor's Cup semifinals Tuesday at Shizuoka Stadium Ecopa. The final is scheduled for Friday at National Stadium.