Urawa Reds announced the departure of captain and former Japan defender Hiroki Sakai on Monday, with newly formed Auckland FC his reported destination.
According to sources, the 34-year-old right-back is set to sign with the New Zealand club who will join Australia's A-League from the 2024-25 season.
"It was a very difficult decision to leave the team at this time," Sakai said in a statement. "I made the choice to pursue new goals and challenges."
Sakai, who played for the Samurai Blue at the World Cup in 2018 and 2022, joined Reds from Marseille in the French top flight in the summer of 2021. He helped Urawa win the Emperor's Cup that year and the Asian Champions League the following season.
Reds are currently 11th in the J-League first division with seven wins, five draws and seven losses in their first season under former Norway manager Per-Mathias Hoegmo.
