Gamba Osaka put the "Asian berth" rule to the test

It was widely expected, but Gamba Osaka have made public the signing of Korean striker Cho Jae-Jin from K-League side Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors for the 2009 season.

As mentioned elsewhere, Jae-Jin became a cult hero during a goal-laden three-year spell at rival J. League club Shimizu S-Pulse from 2004 to 2007.

With his contract at S-Pulse set to expire the Korean had set his sights on a move to the English Premier League, but talks with a host of clubs including Fulham, West Ham United and Newcastle United came to nought.

On a recent trip to Korea I spoke with a source close to Jae-Jin, who claimed that the Korea Republic international was keen on a return to Shimizu S-Pulse. With the Shizuoka side having already signed Brazilian striker Marcos Aurelio - who was ironically released by S-Pulse this week - Jae-Jin was instead forced to return to the K-League, where he struggled to win over fans with some nervy displays for Jeonbuk.

Jae-Jin will now call Expo '70 Stadium in Suita City home for the foreseeable future, with Shimizu S-Pulse having pounced to sign ex-Nagoya striker Frode Johnsen, who has been replaced at the Aichi club by former Consadole Sapporo striker Davi.

Just another dizzying spell of musical chairs in the J. League, but Gamba's signing of Jae-Jin could prove significant for football in the region, with the K-League looking an increasingly attractive source of ready-made talent for a league that the likes of Korea Republic captain Kim Nam-Il already call home.