Japan right-back Seiya Maikuma is joining Dutch side AZ Alkmaar on a full transfer, J-League first-division club Cerezo Osaka said Friday.
The 26-year-old began his professional career at his local club V-Varen Nagasaki in J2 in 2020 before joining Cerezo two years later. He made his Japan debut last September and started regularly during the Asian Cup early this year.
"I've become a vice-captain this season and I really thought long and hard about leaving the team midway through the season," Maikuma said in a Cerezo statement. "I decided to make the move in the end in order to become a tougher player."
AZ's Yukinari Sugawara, Japan's regular right-back, has been linked with a transfer this summer.
