OSAKA -- Gamba Osaka defender Tsuneyasu Miyamoto is set to join English Premier League side West Ham United in a move that will make him the first Japanese player to join a English club, Gamba officials said Thursday.
Gamba had turned down a bid from West Ham for the defender in September, but were later turned down themselves when they offered a new contract to Miyamoto.
The 23-year-old Miyamoto, eager to move abroad, is currently in negotiations with the Hammers.