Jubilo Iwata has expressed interest in signing unsettled Japan goalkeeper Yoshikatsu Kawaguchi from English first division side Portsmouth, club sources said Monday.
According to the sources, Iwata has contacted Portsmouth officials and the south coast club is ready to listen to offers for Kawaguchi, who has failed to acclimatize to the English game since joining from Yokohama F. Marinos in a club record deal last autumn.
Kawaguchi became the first Japanese goalkeeper to play in an overseas league after signing an estimated £1.7 million ($2.43 million) deal in October but he has been fighting to win back his place in the team since being dropped last month.
Kawaguchi lost his place to 42-year-old Dave Beasant after a series of woeful performances and has not played since Portsmouth was dumped out of the F.A. Cup following a 4-1 home defeat to third division Leyton Orient on Jan. 5.