Former Japan midfielder Masakiyo Maezono and South Korean club Anyang Cheetahs have agreed on a transfer deal, Anyang officials said Thursday.
Both sides are scheduled to sign an official one-year, 100 million won (10 million yen) contract early next month, making Maezono the first Japanese to play in South Korea's K. League.
Maezono landed the deal following a trial earlier this month, in which the 29-year-old impressed for Anyang's reserve side, after falling out of favor with J. League club Tokyo Verdy.
Sapporo hires Carlos
SAPPORO (Kyodo) Consadole Sapporo, relegated to the second division despite switching managers twice this year, hired Brazilian coach Joao Carlos in a bid for a quick return to the top flight, club officials said Thursday.
Carlos, 46, will take over from South Korean Chang Woe Ryong after the Emperor's Cup for his fourth coaching duty in the J. League following his stints with Kashima Antlers, Nagoya Grampus Eight and Cerezo Osaka.
Carlos led Kashima to the 1996 league championship and the first-stage title of 1997 when he was named the J. League Coach of the Year.