The scorer of 19 goals and seven assists across 34 appearances, the German import’s departure was a bitter blow for the City Football Group-owned club.
 
But Arslan, 33, was determined to test himself elsewhere after a year in Australia, and views Japan as the perfect next step in the autumn of a distinguished career which has seen him excel for the likes of Hamburg, Besiktas, Fenerbahce and Udinese.
 
City’s player of the year and player’s player of the year - generally acknowledged as the league’s most impactful import last season - journeyed to Japan with his agent, ex-Melbourne Victory star Fahid Ben Khalfallah, to undergo the formality of a medical and complete the paperwork.
 
Sanfreece, who have won the J1 title three times and were the 2022 J.League Cup winners, are one of the nation’s most iconic clubs and sit fifth on the ladder with 37 points from 23 games - 12 adrift of league leaders Machida Zelvia.