LONDON Japanese midfielder Junichi Inamoto signed a four-year contract for Premier League Arsenal on Monday for an undisclosed sum.

Inamoto, 21, who joins from J-League side Gamba Osaka, is Arsene Wenger's fifth offseason signing following the arrival of Giovanni horst, Richard Wright, Sol Campbell and Francis Jeffers. He has won 22 caps for Japan, Reuters reported.

"We are pleased to welcome Junichi Inamoto to the club," Wenger said in a statement. "He has physical strength and is a great passer of the ball.

"Junichi's enthusiasm and ability undoubtedly strengthen the squad in our bid to challenge for honors this coming season."

Inamoto said: "The move to Arsenal is excellent both for Japanese football and myself. I am looking forward to playing for one of the best clubs in Europe."

Wenger told a news conference he had had a very busy summer.

"I am happy because I could keep the players I wanted to keep and could sign the players, in my opinion at a reasonable price in the positions we wanted," he said.