TOKYO (AFP) - Japanese midfielder Keisuke Honda is preparing to join Dutch first-division side VVV Venlo from Nagoya Grampus, a spokesman for the J-League club said Wednesday.

"The transfer has been negotiated for some time and his agent has already applied for an international transfer certificate," Nagoya official Toshio Kawakita said.

He said a contract had yet to be sealed. But Japanese press reports from the Netherlands said the 21-year-old Honda had been training with the Dutch club since January 5 and was expected to sign a contract with Venlo in a few days.

The deadball specialist took part in a training match on Tuesday against PSV Eindhoven's reserve team and scored on a 20-metre free kick with his left foot, the reports said.

"There is a great spirit at the club and a good feel to the place," Honda told reporters after the match, according to Kyodo News.

"At the end of the day it was only a practice match, so I am not getting carried away. Hopefully I will be able to continue to deliver results," he added.

Venlo manager Andre Wetzel said Honda looked "comfortable when he has the ball."

"He has done really well in training and has a very good left foot. His free kicks are great, too," added Wetzel.

Honda has scored 11 goals in 90 league appearances since he joined Nagoya in 2005 after graduating from high school. He played a key role in helping Japan's under-22 team qualify for the Beijing Olympics.