Kiyotake set for Japan return

Creative midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake is set for a move to Japan’s J-League after only joining Sevilla last summer, say reports in Spain.

The 27-year-old, who has won 42 caps for Japan, joined the Europa League winners from Hannover 96 in the summer for a fee in the region of €6.5m but he has made only four league appearances despite starting at the beginning of the season.

The deal to take Kiyotake to Sevilla was done by Jorge Sampaoli’s predecessor Unai Emery but he has not formed part of the new manager’s plans and he will be allowed to leave before the end of the January transfer window.

Estadio Deportivo report the midfielder’s former club Cerezo Osaka are in advanced negotiations to bring the Japanese international back to the side he departed in 2012.

J-League duo Sagan Tosu and Vissel Kobe are also reportedly keen on a deal, and while there was interest in Kiyotake in both Spain and Germany it appears he will now return to Japan.

The midfielder’s departure would free up a ‘non EU’ place in the squad at Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan which will be filled by Argentine midfielder Walter Montoya, who signed from Rosario Central last week.

Tags Hiroshi Kiyotake
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