JAPAN midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura is set to join Spanish club Espanyol after Yokohama F. Marinos failed to complete a deal for the former Celtic player.
Marinos officials held a one-hour meeting with Nakamura's agent yesterday, during which they were informed of the player's decision.
"We have been told by his agent that Nakamura has decided to go to Espanyol," said Marinos spokesman Masanori Hak
amada "He said he (Nakamura] was in two minds – Marinos or Espanyol – but decided to play in the Spanish League, where he has wanted to go for a long time."
Nakamura looked certain to return to his former club after his contract with Celtic expired as the Japan international had talked frequently about moving back to his homeland. According to Japanese newspaper reports, Marinos failed at the final stage of negotiations which led to Nakamura contacting Espanyol after having previously turned down an offer from the Catalan club, who finished 10th in the Primera Liga last term. Nakamura, who turns 31 tomorrow, also felt it would be beneficial for him to play in Spain with next summer's World Cup in mind.
Meanwhile, Steven Fletcher will ignore speculation that he is set to move to Celtic, according to his agent, Scott Fisher.
The 22-year-old striker was subject of a failed by the Parkhead club in January and with former Easter Road manager Tony Mowbray having taken over at Celtic, fresh reports have emerged linking Fletcher with his former mentor, despite having four years left on his contract at Hibs. However, Fisher said: "John Hughes is looking to speak to all of his players over the next couple of weeks and Steven will be one of them sitting down to talk to him. No matter what happens, Steven will remain fully focused on the job in hand.
"There was a lot of speculation over his future in December and January, yet he showed in the second half of the season how focused and committed he was.
"He scored goals against all of the top teams in the League and gave 100 per cent.
"He wants to make sure that his career is going in the right direction. He has been with the club since he was 17 and he is now a full international player. He's ambitious and wants to become a regular starter for Scotland."
The full article contains 395 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.
