We've got a Japanese International!
By Chris O'Brien
December 25 2004
Cardiff City have completed the signing of Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto on loan from West Bromwich Albion. The 25-year-old has also played for Arsenal and Fulham in England, and is desperate to return to shake off a career-threatening knee problem to have another crack at the big time.

Cardiff City have completed the loan signing of West Bromwich Albion midfielder Junichi Inamoto. The Japanese international has been given clearance to play against Wolves on Boxing Day despite previous fears that the Home Office would not be able to grant the Japanese international with the required work permit in time.

Inamoto signed for West Bromwich Albion from Japanese side Gamba Osaka over the summer, with the Baggies strengthening their squad ready for Premiership football. Amid fears of Inamoto's injury problems, clauses in the deal state WBA do not pay a penny in transfer fees should the 25-year-old not return to full fitness from a career-threatening knee injury. Bryan Robson's side are due to pay Osaka £200,000 when the midfielder makes his first appearance for the Baggies, but as yet he has only appeared as an unused substitute.

He will be the second Asian player to pull on the Bluebirds jersey. Chinese international Fan Zhiyi joined the club during the 2002/2003 season, but was a major flop and many saw the signing as nothing more than a publicity stunt. Zhiyi made only a handful of appearances and struggled to compete in the midfield, with his short spell as a Bluebird tarnished by a red card away to Colchester United.

Inamoto is a fairly well known name in Great Britain, having moved to Arsenal on a temporary basis a few seasons ago. He made just 4 appearances for the Gunners and though Arsene Wenger regarded him as a player with bags of potential, he decided not to add the player to his star-studded squad. He then moved to Fulham on loan and was their key player in Intertoto Cup success in 2002, making himself an instant hero with a hat-trick in the second-leg of the final. However, despite a great start with the Cottagers, Inamoto faded as the season span on.

Injury problems has meant Inamoto has been restricted to 8 reserve team outings for West Brom, showing only glimpses of the brilliance that saw the Japanese star make such a name for himself during the 2002 World Cup. He has been sent to City for a month in the hope he can gain some match team fitness. For Lennie Lawrence, Inamoto could add some creativity to the squad and will prove useful in the absence of Graham Kavanagh through suspension. However, if such a move backfires it will only tighten the noose around the neck of the under-fire Cardiff chief.

Some supporters claim the player will not be interested during his loan spell, but the next four weeks could make or break Inamoto's career. Robson will be keeping a close eye on the player who has nearly 50 caps for his country, hoping the potentially first-class midfielder can show improved fitness levels worthy of Premiership football. We have brought in a player anxious to impress, and he may just add that little extra class and something special during the festive period and New Year.

All in all a good and certainly interesting acquisition. Inamoto recently played 70 minutes against Germany for his country but is still some way from full fitness. He will go straight into the squad for Sunday's clash at home to Wolves, and a bumper Ninian Park crowd are likely to get their first glimpse of the former Arsenal star in the blue jersey.

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