Wanchope takes Toyko to new level

Adjust font size:

TOKYO, Japan -- Costa Rica's star striker Paulo Wanchope will join J-League club FC Tokyo, adding a new chapter to an illustrious career which has already taken him to England, Spain, Qatar and Argentina.

FC Tokyo, the 2004 J-League Cup champions, said on Friday they had reached an agreement on the move with the lanky 30-year-old, the Costa Rican national team's all-time leading scorer with 45 goals in 72 matches.

Wanchope has been playing for Argentina's Rosario Central after Costa Rica finished bottom of their World Cup group in Germany last July.

"He excels in post play, taking advantage of his height at 193cm," the Tokyo club said in a statement.

"He is a world-class striker equipped with swift feet and the skill of finishing."

Wanchope said, "I will play to the fullest of my ability and experience, and do my utmost towards the club's goal of the league championship."

Wanchope enjoyed successful spells in England with Derby County, West Ham and Manchester City. He also played for Spain's Malaga and Qatari side Al Gharafa.

He has played in international matches since 1996, scoring one goal in the 2002 World Cup finals co-hosted by Japan and South Korea. He took part in three matches at Germany 2006, scoring twice in Costa Rica's 4-2 defeat to hosts Germany.

FC Tokyo, coached by Brazilian Alexander Tadeu Gallo, finished 13th in the 2006 J-League season which ended earlier this month.

Despite winning the league's FA Cup in 2004, they have never won the league championship. Badly needing to boost their firepower, FC Tokyo in September signed under-21 striker Sota Hirayama from Dutch club Heracles Almelo.

Get up-to-the minute news from CNN CNN.com gives you the latest stories and video from the around the world, with in-depth coverage of U.S. news, politics, entertainment, health, crime, tech and more.

---

• L.A. Episcopalians elect lesbian bishop
• Wrestlers grapple with issues in, out of ring
• Are Zhu Zhu pets safe? Consumer group says no
• Texas escapee joins most-wanted list
• Death toll rises in Russia nightclub inferno

• Irish PM to quit over payments scandal
• NATO chief: Afghan troop increase likely
• Militants hunted as calm retuns to Basra
• Pressure on Bush to skip Olympics
• BA sending misplaced T5 baggage to Milan

• Recruiting suicide bombers (2:50)
• London was lucky (2:36)
• Cars in London rigged as bombs (3:48)
• Second explosives-packed car foun (2:32)
• Soviet culture returns (3:47)