Japan national team striker Masashi Oguro has joined French second division side Grenoble from J-League champions Gamba Osaka. The 25 year-old, who made his national team debut earlier this year, will be joining the Japanese-owned French side after six seasons at his home town club.

Grenoble’s general manager Kazuyoshi Tanabe told a press conference on Saturday, “We wanted Oguro, who can play solid football in front of the goal. He will help us to reach the first division.” Details of the contract were not revealed, however Tanabe did confirm that it ran for “a certain number of years.”

Oguro, who has played a prominent role in Gamba Osaka’s recent J-League championship success, was also top scorer in the league two seasons ago and scored 13 minutes after coming off the bench for his international debut against Korea Republic last February. The injury-time goal was vital, giving Japan a crucial victory over their arch rivals in Asian qualification.

Grenoble, who currently sit in eighth place in French Ligue 2, will be hoping he can produce the same kind of magic for them.

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