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Celtic's Nakamura poised for Japan return

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-10-24 16:47

TOKYO - Celtic's Shunsuke Nakamura is reportedly poised for a return to Yokohama F-Marinos in Japan's J-League, though the club said on Friday nothing had been decided yet.

Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura (R) fights for the ball with United Arab Emirates' Yousef Jaber during a friendly match in Niigata, northern Japan, October 9, 2008. [Agencies]

Local media earlier reported Nakamura will rejoin Yokohama, who are preparing an offer of more than $10 million to re-sign the Japan midfielder in January's transfer window.

Yokohama officials said on Friday they had been in contact with Nakamura but no agreement had been reached.

"There's a lot of speculation but nothing has been decided," Yokohama's Masanori Hakamada told Reuters. "While we have been in touch, there is no concrete progress to report at this stage."

Former Japan soccer chief Saburo Kawabuchi was quoted as saying Nakamura had informed him of his intent after Celtic's Champions League game with Manchester United on Tuesday.

"He said that because has a child who will be going to kindergarten soon and he's 30 years old too, he appears to have decided to return to Japan," Kawabuchi told the Nikkan Sports.

Although a price tag of $10 million would be beyond the budget of most J-League clubs, Yokohama are backed by Japanese auto giant Nissan Motor Co <7201.T>.

Nakamura had previously expressed his desire to finish his playing career in Yokohama.

Last season's Scottish player of the year has also struggled with the frequent long-haul trips to play in Japan's World Cup qualifiers in recent months.

Free kick specialist Nakamura left Yokohama in 2002 to join Italy's Reggina, before moving to Celtic three years later. He has made 81 appearances for Japan.