Dundee United have finally announced the signing of Japanese international goalkeeper Eiji Kawashima.
Subject to international clearance being secured, the long drawn out saga stretching back to the start of November will soon be at end.
Kawashima will join until the end of the season and train with his new team mates upon his arrival in the UK in the next few days.
He becomes Mixu Paatelainen’s fourth signing as United seek to secure Premiership survival.
Kawashima has starred for Japan at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and has played 72 times for his national team.
He has most recently played his club football for Standard Lige in Belgium, leaving there at the end of his three-year contract in the summer of 2015.
“Finally I’m able to join to Dundee United,” he told the Dundee United website. “I’m delighted to join this club.
“I will try to do all my best with my fighting sprit and my ambition as a player. I hope that can bring something different to the squad and also I hope I can use my experience as well. I’m looking forward to wearing the Dundee United jersey on the pitch soon.”
Paatelainen said: “I am delighted that we have secured Eiji’s signature. It has taken a bit longer than any of us would have liked but this is a fantastic coup for the club.
“Eiji will strengthen the competition in the goalkeeper’s position. He is a seasoned professional who has played at major tournaments and this experience will help our young goalkeepers also. He is a strong character who has shown great desire to play for Dundee United and I look forward to working with him.”