Tue, 30 Nov, -0001
Osaka: AFC Champions League 2014 Group E contenders Cerezo Osaka have singed Uruguayan international Diego Forlan from Brazilian side Internacional.
The move will see the Uruguayan veteran staying with Cerezo for a year to help them in domestic as well as continental campaign.
With Uruguay featuring in the World Cup this year, Forlan is expecting to keep himself fit for the global showpiece with regular matches for Cerezo who finished fourth in the J.League 2013.
“J.League is a strong league and a good base for me to prepare for the World Cup,” he said after singing the reportedly Euro 4.2 million worth contract.
“The youth system in this club is outstanding as they have sent several players across Europe. The standard of the J.League is similar to those in Brazil and Mexico,” said the former Inter Milan and Athletico Madrid player.
Cerezo Osaka will travel to Korea Republic to face K League Classic champions and the 2009 AFC Champions League winners Pohang Steelers later this month when the group stages of the AFC Champions League 2014 start.
Besides Pohang, Thai treble winners Buriram United and Shandong Luneng FC are other opponents which Forlan’s side will face in the group stages.
Photo: AFP