Kashima Antlers have approved a deal that will send World Cup midfielder Mitsuo Ogasawara to Italian club Messina, sources at the J. League first-division club said Sunday.
Kashima is expected to let Ogasawara leave for Italy as early as Monday for the signing of a loan contract, which was announced by Messina on its official Web site on Friday.
A Kashima official said the Ibaraki club gave the nod to the 27-year-old's move after Messina confirmed that it will remain in the Italian League's first division.
The official, who asked not to be named, added that Ogasawara agreed to accept the offer from Messina in their meeting Sunday.