Football: Japan defender Naomichi Ueda joins Nimes on loan from Cercle Brugge

Japan center-back Naomichi Ueda has joined Nimes on loan from Cercle Brugge for the rest of the season, the French top-tier side said Monday.The 26-year-old Kumamoto native was part of the 2018 World Cup squad for Japan while playing for Kashima Antlers and joined Cercle Brugge in the Belgian top-flight the same summer.The 1.86-meter defender did not take to the pitch during the World Cup but has so far made 13 appearances for the national team, opening his goal account during Japan's 1-0 friendly win over the Ivory Coast in October.Nimes are currently 18th in the 20-team Ligue 1.Related covREAD FULL ARTICLE