Gotoku Sakai has joined Hamburger SV form VfB Stuttgart on Monday, the clubs confirmed.
The Japanese defender has signed a three-year deal with HSV, tying him down until 2018.
It is a cut price transfer fee, too. Alexander Zorniger, the new Stuttgart boss, has let him leave for a meager €700,000.
For most people concerned, it is a bargain. Sakai, despite not enjoying the best of seasons with the Swabians, is still just 24 and has room to develop.
Sakai happy to be work with Labbadia again
The 21-time Japan international has been reunited with his former head coach, Bruno Labaddia. "I like him as a coach," Sakai said. "He makes us work hard and that suits my attitude. I am really looking forward to be working with him again."
He suggests that "finding form again" is key, after he "lost rhythm" with his former club. One quality in Sakai's favour is his versatility, as he is able to play on both wing-back positions. He "does not care" whether it is on the left or right, "it is crucial" that he just gets time on the pitch.
Sakai played 106 games in just four years for Stuttgart, after arriving in Germany from Albirex Niigata. He scored twice, though notched up an impressive 11 assists during that time.
Sakai may not walk into the starting line-up
While it was a deal that couldn't be passed up on, HSV are relatively well covered in the left and right-back positions.
Dennis Diekmeier, Matthias Ostrzolek, Ashton Götz and Ronny Marcos will provide stern competition for Sakai, though he will quickly look to fit in and make one of the positions his own.
He may have trouble in displacing Diekmeier, although Ostrzolek struggled after moving from FC Augsburg and could well lose his place to Sakai.
Quotes via kicker and hsv.de