Takayuki Suzuki is to join Belgian First Division champion Genk from J. League club Kashima Antlers after both sides reached a basic agreement on a contract for the Japan striker.
Suzuki will join Genk on a one-year loan deal with the option of a full transfer at the end of the 12-month period. He departs for Belgium on Tuesday and is expected to put pen to paper after undergoing a club medical check.
According to soccer sources, Suzuki, who scored Japan's first goal in the 2-2 draw against Belgium at this summer's World Cup and helped Japan reach the last 16 for the first time ever, is expected to sign for around $300,000 and will pocket an annual salary of $385,000.
"I'm so relieved that a deal has been reached without any hitches and I'm delighted to be able to have the experience of playing abroad," said Suzuki.
Genk thought it had completed the transfer Friday and held a press conference to announce the signing of the 26-year-old.
But the Belgian club was forced to backtrack Saturday and clarify that negotiations over the transfer of Suzuki were still ongoing.
Suzuki made his J. League debut for Kashima in 1996 and had subsequent loan spells at JEF United Ichihara and Kawasaki Frontale before winning a regular place in the Antlers lineup two years ago.