Japan speedster Kotaro Matsushima will join Clermont on a two-year contract, the Top 14 club announced on Wedesday.
In a statement from Suntory, Matushima said he wanted to test himself at the highest level possible in preparation for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
“I want to compete at a high level, for a strong club where I’m needed,” Matsushima said.
Japan star Kotaro Matsushima will join ASM Clermont in July 🇯🇵
— Rugby World Cup (@rugbyworldcup) January 29, 2020
Who is looking forward to seeing him in the Top 14? pic.twitter.com/hI1bHWkJG3
The 26-year-old South African-born back scored five tries, including a hat-trick against Russia, as hosts Japan reached the quarter-finals for the first time.
He will join Clermont in the summer, going some way to making up for the loss at the end of this season of South African-born English international Nick Abendanon and Samoan-born former All Black Isaia Toeava.
OFFICIEL KOTARO MATSUSHIMA S’ENGAGE POUR 2 SAISONS ! 🏈
— ASM Rugby (@ASMOfficiel) January 28, 2020
👉 https://t.co/fTGWnRJ0br pic.twitter.com/MqXbNurRHL
The signing is “fantastic news for the club, our region and our supporters,” said Franck Azema, Clermont’s sporting director.
“My wish was to join a great rugby team and a club that really wanted me to be part of its goals,” Matsushima said in Clermont’s news release.
“The people of Clermont-Ferrand have been in contact with me for a long time and showed a lot of interest in my coming.”
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