Japan defender Yuji Nakazawa moved from Tokyo Verdy to the Yokohama F. Marinos for 160 million yen, the J. League first division club said Thursday.
Nakazawa, who signed a three-year contract through January 2005, becomes Japan's most expensive defender and the third most expensive transfer ever behind Masakiyo Maezono and Shoji Jo.
The 23-year-old Nakazawa played an important part in Japan's 2000 Asian Cup-winning team and has won nine caps. He fell back in the national squad reckoning after pulling out of last summer's Confederations Cup squad with injury.
Uemura hope dashed
Sanfrecce Hiroshima and Japan defender Kenichi Uemura's World Cup dreams have been shattered after seriously injuring his knee, the J. League club announced Thursday.
Uemura is expected to be sidelined for around eight months after injuring his ligaments during his club's training camp session in Miyazaki on Wednesday.
Uemura was among the 41 players Japan coach Philippe Troussier called up for Japan's training camp last month.