Japanese midfielder Ienaga signs with Mallorca

Spanish first division side Real Mallorca have signed Japanese midfielder Akihiro Ienaga on a contract until 2015, the club said Wednesday.

The 24-year-old has passed medical tests and he will have a buyout clause of 18 million euros (24 million dollars), a statement posted on the club’s website said.

“Given his characteristics and youth, he is a player who can develop his potential in competitive football like the Spanish league,” the statement added.

As Real Mallorca already have three players from outside the European Union in their squad, the maximum allowed, he will be sent out on loan to a yet to be determined club in the short term.

Ienaga scored four goals in four appearances with J-League side Cerezo Osaka this season.

He will be the second Japanese player to have played for Mallorca after Yoshito Okubo who played at the side between 2005-2007.

The club, based on the holiday island of Mallorca in the Mediterranean, are in 10th place in the 20-team Spanish standings with 21 points, 19 fewer than leaders and defending league champions Barcelona.