Yano rejoins Niigata from Freiburg

Japanese striker Kisho Yano has returned to former club Albirex Niigata after two seasons with Bundesliga outfit Freiburg, the J.League club has confirmed. The 27-year-old moved to the German league from Niigata in August 2010 after briefly playing for Japan in the FIFA World Cup™ in South Africa, when the Blue Samurai reached the last 16. The 6ft 1ins target man played in 15 Bundesliga games without scoring a goal in the 2010/11 season. He failed to make any appearances for Freiburg this season before he was released in December. "I had a hard time for about a year-and-a-half in Germany but it was nonetheless a valuable and wonderful experience," said Yano. "I want to show how much I have improved, so my experience will not be wasted." Before moving to Germany, Yano scored 34 goals in 191 J-League games with Kashiwa Reysol (2003-05) and Niigata (2006-10). He has also netted two goals in 19 appearances for Japan.