Kenji Johjima on Tuesday agreed to join the Hanshin Tigers on a four-year deal worth an estimated ¥2 billion plus performance related bonuses after holding a second round of talks with the Central League club in Fukuoka.
The 33-year-old catcher last week exercised an opt-out clause in his contract with the Seattle Mariners to return to Japan after injuries and lack of production limited him to 71 games this past season and 112 games in 2008.
"Hanshin was the first team to come after me and the first to set up talks," said Johjima.
"It gives me confidence when I think about the support from the Hanshin fans at Koshien, which for me has been the opposition's home ground until now."