Takahito Soma has agreed to join Vissel Kobe after parting ways with German second-division side Energie Cottbus last month, the J. League club said Monday.
"I have returned to Japan and hopefully from the experience I have had overseas I will be able give something back (to Japanese soccer)," the 29-year-old former Urawa Reds defender said.
Soma is set to put pen to paper after a medical and will be officially unveiled by Kobe before Saturday's game at home to champions Nagoya Grampus.
Soma's contract with Cottbus ran until June 2012 but the club terminated it at his request in the middle of last month, reportedly for family reasons. He made 21 league appearances last season and scored one goal.