Japan defender Nagatomo to transfer to Europe

Japan's Yuto Nagatomo (R) vies with Netherlands' Dirk Kuyt during their 2010 World Cup Group E soccer match at Moses Mabhida stadium in Durban, South Africa, on June 19, 2010. Japan lost 0-1. (Xinhua/Chen Haitong)

Birmingham City have joined the race to sign versatile Japanese international defender Yuto Nagatomo, a report said on Friday.

The speedy 23-year-old left-back has impressed at the Japanese side that has stormed to the final 16 of the World Cup for the first time on foreign soil.

Despite offers from several European clubs, the FC Tokyo defender has long dreamed of playing in the English Premier League, the Sports Nippon newspaper said.

The Nikkan Sports newspaper said FC Tokyo will hold an emergency meeting next week to discuss Nagatomo's possible transfer to Europe.

Nagatomo has scored five goals in 68 matches for FC Tokyo and been capped 28 times for Japan since May 2008, scoring three goals.