TOKYO - Turkey's World Cup striker Ilhan Mansiz arrived in Japan early on Tuesday to officially sign a two-year contract with the J-League first division side Vissel Kobe.
Mansiz and his German lawyer who arrived from Germany were greeted by the Turkish Embassy officials and Mansiz's fans at the Narita Airport in Tokyo with Turkish flags and flowers.
Sources said that Mansiz would sign a two-year contract lasting through January 1, 2006 for 4.5 million U.S. dollars.
After signing the deal, Mansiz is expected to hold a news conference together with officials of his new team Kobe.
Speaking to the A.A correspondent, Mansiz said that his transfer to a Japanese club constituted an opportunity for both Turkish football and himself. ''Japan is a different country, different culture. I will do my best.''
He said that he would proceed to Kobe later in the same day to meet his new team mates.
Mansiz added that he would sign the contract probably on Thursday, February 12.
The 28-year-old striker played for Superleague club Besiktas and sent Turkey into the semifinals of the 2002 World Cup with a golden goal in the 1-0 win over Senegal.
(MS-AÖ) 10.02.2004