Nagai to join Glory on loan
13 September 2012 09:41
Perth Glory have reportedly landed promising striker Ryo Nagai from J.League outfit Cerezo Osaka on a four-month loan deal.
While the signing is yet to be officially announced by the Glory, Cerezo revealed on Wednesday the 21-year-old will link up with the A-League club on October 1, with his loan to conclude on January 31, 2013.
An Under-19 representative for Japan, Nagai was promoted from Cerezo's youth academy in 2010 and has made 25 J.League appearances, including eight as a substitute in the 2012 campaign.
"I apologise for causing the team trouble by leaving in the middle of the season. After being on a pro contract for two-and-a-half years, I feel like I haven't been able to contribute to Cerezo," Nagai told the club's website.
"From my first year of junior high school I was a member of Cerezo's youth teams, and I love this club, so I want become a player who can score for Cerezo.
"I want to work hard at Perth Glory and come back grown up as a player. I hope I can show you a 'powered-up' Ryo Nagai."
Nagai becomes the second Japanese player to join the A-League in as many weeks, with Brisbane Roar announcing the season-long signing of Kyoto Sanga defender Yuji Takahashi on August 30.
Nagai - capable of playing in several attacking positions - will add depth to a Perth Glory squad that already possesses Shane Smeltz, Billy Mehmet and promising trio Chris Harold, Jesse Makarounas and Ndumba Makeche.
