Osaka´s Rafinha could be Korea-bound
29 June 2012 07:00
Gamba Osaka striker Rafinha could be moved on to Korea's Ulsan Hyundai, according to reports.
After a season and a half with J.League Division 2 outfit Thespa Kusatsu, the 24-year-old attacker joined the Kansai club on loan last summer.
Rafinha went on to score in his Gamba debut and eventually totalled 11 goals in 17 appearances, helping his new club finish in third place behind Nagoya Grampus and champions Kashiwa Reysol in the Japanese top flight.
But Rafinha has showed poor form this season, scoring just three goals in 10 appearances for the 16th-placed club. The return of goal-scorer Leandro from Qatar's Al Sadd on loan makes the move a necessity in order to comply with league limits on foreign players.
With both sides having already agreed on a deal, the transfer is expected to be announced following Rafinha's medical check and contract signing.