Friday 24 June 2016 13:53, UK
Japanese international midfielder Hiroshi Kiyotake will play in the European Champions League next season after penning a four-year deal with Europa League champions Sevilla.
The 26-year-old quits relegated German Bundesliga outfit Hannover, who picked up a £5.25M fee for the player who made his European start with two seasons at Nuremburg between 2012 and 2014.
Kiyotake scored 10 goals in his 55 appearances in two seasons at Hannover, and has three goals in 35 caps for the Japan national side.
"The chance of playing in the Champions League made this an easy decision," Kiyotake told journalists at a charity match for the Fukushima tsunami disaster in his homeland.
"And with two years to go before the next World Cup, the timing is good for my international career," said the 35-times capped player.
Sevilla play in the Champions League after a new system whereby the Europa League champion gains access to the elite competition.
The Spanish side finished out of the European places in La Liga, ending up seventh last season, but beat Liverpool in the 2016 Europa League final for a third consecutive title.
