OSAKA -- Gamba Osaka midfielder Junichi Inamoto is set to join Arsenal after his club said Thursday that a basic agreement on a multi-year contract has been reached with the English Premier League giant.
Gamba officials, who declined to disclose the financial details of the pact, said the deal will be formally announced around July 22 after Japan international Inamoto travels to London to obtain a work permit and undergo a medical check.
Inamoto, who will become the first-ever Japanese player to ply his trade in English football's top flight, said he has mixed feelings about the move upon hearing the news.
"I'm kind of looking forward to going, but a little nervous as well. But I'm definitely motivated and will do my utmost to secure a place in the first team and hopefully help the team win the Premiership," Inamoto said.
Inamoto, 21, whose goal eight days ago against Yugoslavia -- his first in 22 appearances for his country -- sealed the Kirin Cup for Japan, added that Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger's knowledge of Japan from his time in charge of Nagoya Grampus Eight is an added bonus.
"I'm not sure what kind of atmosphere (in England) to expect but I'm looking forward to playing alongside talented footballers and Mr. Wenger knows a lot about Japan, which is a big plus point for me."
Inamoto impressed Wenger with some solid performances when the Frenchman was in Japan last month working as a television analyst during the Confederations Cup.
Wenger, who guided 11-time champion Arsenal to a League and F.A. Cup double in 1998, has already spent 25 million British pounds this summer after recently signing Ipswich goalkeeper Richard Wright and agreeing on contract extensions for David Seaman and Lee Dixon.