Augsburg signs Takashi Usami on four year-deal

Japan forward Takashi Usami will join Augsburg on a four-year deal from Gamba Osaka subject to a medical later this month, the German side announced Monday.

Usami, set to hold a press conference on Tuesday, has scored five goals in 16 league games this term for Gamba. His final game will be at home to Nagoya Grampus on Saturday when a post-match ceremony is scheduled.

The 24-year-old has previous experience in the Bundesliga, making his first move to Europe at the age of 19 on loan to giants Bayern Munich in 2011, when he was restricted to three league appearances.

“I continued to follow the Bundesliga from Japan and FC Augsburg have developed massively in the past few seasons. I am very pleased to be back in the Bundesliga,” Usami said in a statement on Augsburg’s official website.

Sporting director Stefan Reuter said, “We’re delighted that we were able to make the transfer happen, as Takashi Usami already has lots of Bundesliga experience, despite being so young. In the last few years he has developed enormously at Gamba Osaka. We’re convinced that he will help our team with his qualities.”

Usami made his Japan debut in March 2015 and has three goals in 16 games to date.

Via: Japan Times