J.League club Albirex Niigata have confirmed they have signed Japanese striker Kisho Yano from Bundesliga outfit Freiburg.
The 27-year-old forward had been reportedly set for a trial with Swiss club FC Aarau this week, but Niigata announced the deal on Tuesday evening.
Yano, who has made 19 appearances for his country, failed to make one first-team appearance at Freiburg during the 2011-12 season.
The striker had joined Freiburg from Niigata in 2010, where he made 15 appearances during the 2010-11 campaign, before struggling for opportunities under Marcus Sorg and Christian Streich.
Freiburg general manager Dirk Dufner had told Kicker-Sportmagazin earlier this week: "Kisho Yano is on his way out. He has joined Aarau for a trial period. He would be able to move to Switzerland, as they have got a different transfer window ruling."
Dufner added: "If he is not moving to Switzerland, he could still be on his way back to Japan, as Japanese clubs are able to sign players until mid-March."