Shimizu S-Pulse said Thursday they have acquired former Japan striker Naohiro Takahara for next season from Suwon Bluewings of South Korea's K-League.
The 31-year-old moved to Suwon this past summer after a disappointing spell at Urawa Reds in the J. League.
Before that, Takahara spent five years in the German Bundesliga between 2003 and 2007, playing for Hamburg SV and Eintracht Frankfurt.
"I feel happy that I can return to the town that I was raised in and play soccer. I would like to repay my debt of gratitude," said Takahara.
Takahara played in the 2006 World Cup in Germany and has scored 68 goals in the J. League first division. He was the first division's top scorer in 2002 with 26 goals for Jubilo Iwata. He was capped 57 times and scored 23 goals for Japan.