Japanese defender Seiya Maikuma is set to join Dutch first-division club AZ Alkmaar from Cerezo Osaka, sources familiar with the matter said Wednesday.
AZ have made a full transfer offer for the 26-year-old right-back, who is looking to play for Japan at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, to be co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States.
Cerezo are prepared to accept the transfer, according to the sources. AZ finished fourth in the 2023-2024 Dutch Eredivisie season.
Maikuma made his Japan debut in September 2023 and played a key role at the Asian Cup in Qatar early this year.
He began his J-League career with second-division V-Varen Nagasaki in 2020 before moving to Cerezo two years later.
AZ's Yukinari Sugawara, who is competing for Japan's right-back position with Maikuma, has been reportedly sought after by some other European clubs.
