Yakult Swallows catcher Atsuya Furuta on Monday signed a new deal worth an estimated 200 million yen -- the same amount he received in 2000 -- plus performance-hinged bonuses for next season, officials of the Central League club said.
Attending the second round of talks with an agent, Furuta, who last month held off signing a new pact with the club, finally reached an agreement with Yakult officials. Furuta, 35, played in 134 games in the 2000 season, batting .278 with 14 home runs and 64 RBIs.