Nuremberg sign Japanese international Kanazaki

Nuremberg signed Japan midfielder Mu Kanazaki on an 18-month deal on Wednesday, making him the 11th Japanese player in the Bundesliga. The 23-year-old signed on a free transfer, having last played for J-League side Nagoya Grampus, and his new contract runs until June 2014. Kanazaki becomes the second Japanese player at Nuremberg, linking up with playmaker Hiroshi Kiyotake. "I have had contact with Nuremberg for some time," said Kanazaki, who trained with Nuremberg on Wednesday morning and has made five appearances for Japan. "I am looking forward to playing in the Bundesliga, there is a lot of interest in (this league) in Japan. I am looking forward to repaying some of the confidence shown in me and am happy to be at a club with such great fans." Nuremberg are set to further boost their midfield on Thursday with Austrian junior international Muhammed Ildiz, 21, set to sign from Rapid Vienna. "For a long time our thoughts have been that we want to increase our midfield clout," said Nuremberg's director of sport Martin Bader. Nuremberg currently sit 15th in the Bundesliga table, just above the relegation zone. From FIFA