Japan international Hiroshi Kiyotake has set eyes on going for the J.League title this season after returning to Cerezo Osaka.
The 27-year-old midfielder returned to Osaka-based team on permanent basis from an underwhelming six-month stint at Spanish Primera Division outfit Sevilla.
Cerezo promoted to the J1 this season after playing in the the second division in last two seasons and Kiyotake hopes the lessons he learned in Europe will help him to capture a silverware.
“I learned the mentality and attitude to fight. I had to take a hard look at myself as a footballer, and that may have been the best thing to happen to me,” he said.
“I want to play hard, even in training. I want to show by example and not by words.”
“I thought it wasn’t a bad idea to return to Japan at an age when I’m still at the top of my game. If I was going to come back to Japan, it was going to be with Cerezo.”
“Cerezo will become bigger and stronger by winning a title. I’m prepared to make a 100 percent commitment so we can achieve that.”
“It feels strange, but I’m really happy. It was only after I moved to Cerezo in 2010 that I learned the pleasure and joy of playing soccer. I want to play entertaining football again.”
Kiyotake left Cerezo for German Bundesliga side Nurnberg in 2012 after scoring 19 goals in 85 appearances in all competitions.