The Yokohama F. Marinos decided Friday to search for a European club that will sign Shoji Jo as Spain's Valladolid has yet to contact the J. League team about extending its contract with the Japanese international striker.
Jo's contract with the Spanish First Division club expired Friday, even though newspapers in Spain reported that Valladolid wanted to offer the Japanese striker a new deal when the original contract came to an end.
The media-relations office for Yokohama said that Jo wants to play for a club in Europe, possibly Valladolid, adding that it is likely the Spanish club will contact them in the future.
Jo made 15 league appearances for Valladolid, including two matches in which he played the full 90 minutes, and scored two goals after his on-loan transfer from Yokohama in January.
The World Cup striker was sidelined for five weeks due to cartilage and ligament damage to his left knee.
Meanwhile, the Marinos announced they have extended the contract of Brazilian striker Edmilson to Jan. 2.
Stojkovic waffling
Nagoya Grampus Eight striker Dragan Stojkovic hinted Friday that he may play through the first stage of next year's J. League season after saying earlier this year that the current season in Japan would be his last.
Stojkovic told reporters that he has "99 percent" decided to retire at the end of the year, but added, "I'm thinking about extending my contract for six months."
The 35-year-old Yugoslav international, returning from the European Championships in the Netherlands and Belgium, practiced with his J. League teammates Friday.