The Pacific League said Tuesday right-hander Jeremy Powell has officially registered on the active roster of the Softbank Hawks.
The announcement marked the end to a drawn-out contract dispute between Softbank and the Orix Buffaloes after both clubs announced in January that they had agreed on contracts with the 31-year-old Powell.
Orix accepted a ruling from active Japanese baseball commissioner Yasuchika Negoro last Friday that effectively allowed Softbank to sign with Powell. After a nonbinding ruling by the Pacific League failed to settle the dispute, Negoro ruled that the filings for Powell's registration by both clubs be scrapped and the club that reaches an agreement through fresh talks be eligible to sign a deal with him.
"The team has just been waiting for him," said Softbank manager Sadaharu Oh.
"After he arrives we will also have to see how well he can perform." Powell had made clear his intention of joining the Hawks, who offered the more lucrative of the two deals. He is scheduled to arrive in Japan as early as Friday.