Defender Theerathon Bunmathan was unveiled as a Vissel Kobe player yesterday after signing a one-year loan deal with the J-League club.
Thailand and SCG Muang Thong United left-back will travel to Kobe for a physical check-up after the AFC Champions League third round play-off match where the Kirins will play another J-League side Kashiwa Reysol on Jan 30. He will wear the No.30 shirt at Kobe.
"I'm very happy with this deal and excited about this new challenge," said the 27-year-old Theerathon during a press conference at SCG Stadium yesterday.
"I would like to thank everyone who helped make this deal possible. It is my dream to play in one of the top leagues in Asia.
"Since I heard about the interest from Vissel Kobe, I have been studying their style of play. My goal is to help Kobe become successful and I will do everything to help the team."
The defender also added he would like to help Muang Thong qualify for the group stage of the AFC Champions League as a parting gift.
"I want to help Muang Thong qualify for the group stage in the 2018 AFC Champions League because I want my teammates to have a chance to play in this tournament this year although I will not be with the team," he said.
Meanwhile Vissel Kobe technical chairman Kataro Haita, explaining the club's reason for choosing Theerathon, said: "Last season, we finished ninth in the J-League standings and we had problems scoring goals.
"We were hoping to sign Japanese players but could not find the right player.
"Then we were looking at players from Muang Thong United and we saw Theerathon play and we thought he's very good at delivering crosses which is just what we need for our tall strikers.
"We have been following him since April last year. We thought he could be the right player for us."
However Theerathon will have a fight on his hands to get into the starting eleven at Kobe.
"We have a very good left back and a left winger at the club. So having Theerathon come in will give the players the competition. I hope he will fight and become successful and earn the starting spot at Kobe," said Haita.