Nagai returns to Glory

Perth Glory have announced midfielder Ryo Nagai will re-join the club on a season-long loan from J-League outfit, Cerezo Osaka.

Perth Glory have announced midfielder Ryo Nagai will re-join the club on a season-long loan from J-League outfit, Cerezo Osaka.

The former Japan Under-20 international made 17 appearances for Glory last season, scoring two goals and played a pivotal role in the club’s late surge into the finals.

Glory Coach Alistair Edwards was delighted to retain the services of the 22-year-old playmaker and pin-pointed his creativity in midfield as being crucial in the Glory-s 2013-2014 Hyundai A-League campaign.

“I’m thrilled that we’ve managed to bring Ryo back to the club for the whole of next season,” he said.

“Ryo finished last season extremely well and became very much a crowd favourite.

“From the time myself and Gareth (Naven) came in, he improved with each game.

“He’s very versatile and can play wide on the right or left and also down the middle and he’s so well thought of here at Glory,” said Edwards.

Nagai returned to Perth from Japan earlier this week and will join his team-mates for pre-season training on Friday.