Thailand and Muang Thong United midfielder Ekanit Panya will join J-League side Urawa Red Diamonds for six months on a loan deal.
Muang Thong yesterday announced that Urawa Red Diamonds had expressed interest in signing Chiang Rai-native Ekanit on loan for six months.
Ekanit had gone for a trial at the three-time AFC Champions League winners two month ago and impressed the coaching staff of the club.
The talented midfielder said: "I would like to thank Muang Thong United and Urawa Red Diamonds for giving me this opportunity.
"I will do my best for the club and am looking forward to meeting Urawa fans at Saitama Stadium."
Haaland in ominous mood
Pep Guardiola fired a warning to Manchester City's rivals after the club's first match of a pre-season tour of Japan on Sunday, declaring star striker Erling Haaland was in "much better" shape than last season.
Haaland claimed a brace after coming on at half-time to help City roar back from two goals down and beat J-League champions Yokohama F Marinos 5-3 in Tokyo.
The Norwegian struck 52 times in his debut season at City, including a single-season Premier League record of 36 goals.
"Comparing last season in that period he's fitter, much better than last season when he arrived," Guardiola said. "Of course [he] looks good but [he] is still a way from the best condition, like everyone."
As impressive as Haaland was in driving City towards their historic treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League, however, the goals dried up for him at the end of the campaign.
He failed to find the net for City in his last five games -- the longest scoreless streak since he joined the club.
With that in mind, Guardiola noted that it was "important for him to score the two goals in the first game" in Japan. "We know him. In a few weeks he will be in even better condition than now."
John Stones, Julian Alvarez and Rodri were also on target for City in their first outing since defeating Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final last month. Bangkok Post/afp