Striker Bando signs with Cerezo

OSAKA (Kyodo) Newly promoted Cerezo Osaka have signed former Japan striker Ryuji Bando, who left local rival Gamba Osaka at the end of the just-concluded season, Cerezo said Tuesday.

Bando failed to start a single J. League game for the Emperor’s Cup winners in 2009, making 21 substitute appearances with two goals.

The 30-year-old joined Gamba in 1998 and played for the former Asian club champions for two seasons before moving to Consadole Sapporo in 2000. He then spent four seasons with Vissel Kobe from 2002 and returned to Gamba in 2006.

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