Infielder Eiichi Koyano said Wednesday he will join the Orix Buffaloes as a free agent in a multiyear deal from the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters.
"The biggest decisive factor was getting the chance to challenge myself again in a new place," said the 34-year-old Koyano.
The Seibu Lions had also expressed interest in acquiring Koyano's services. Orix manager Hiroshi Moriwaki, who contacted Koyano, also influenced his decision.
"I was moved. I thought that I'd like to play under this manager," said Koyano.
Koyano, who this past season, partly due to injury, was limited to just 84 games, was drafted from Soka University as a No. 5 pick by the Fighters in 2002 and won the RBI title in 2010.
Ryuzo Setoyama, Orix's head of baseball operations, said, "We are thankful that he decided to join Orix. With him on the team, we add depth. I expect it will give us a chance to have stronger offensive power," he said.