Hannover to sign Sakai

Japan international Hiroki Sakai is set to join Hannover on a three-year contract as early as next week.

Transfer imminent in reported €1million deal

Japan international Hiroki Sakai is set to join Hannover on a three-year contract as early as next week. According to reports in Japan, the Kashiwa Reysol defender has agreed terms with the Bundesliga outfit and a press conference to announce the deal is expected to take place next weekend. Club sporting director Jorg Schmadtke confirmed that Sakai's €1million (£810,000) move to AWD Arena is all but a done deal. "All that I'm waiting for now is the final papers from Japan," Schmadtke said. Hannover manager Mirko Slomka has been tracking Sakai for some time with negotiations between club and the 22-year-old defender entering their fifth week. There was reported interest from Borussia Dortmund and FC Porto but Hannover's enthusiastic pursuit of the player won them the race.