Gamba have been searching for a striker to replace Brazilian forward Leandro, whose switch to Qatar'sAl Sadd was announced yesterday.

Pedro Junior, 22, has scored 10 goals in 21 matches this season after joining from Omiya Ardija on loan and is expected to be eligible to face Vissel Kobe on September 12.

Leandro, 24, has scored 22 goals in 29 matches for Gamba this season but was offered a substantial deal to join Al Sadd.

A day before the Japanese transfer window closes, Urawa Reds have also been busy with the signing of 18-year-old Ghanaian forward Faisal Mohammed.

Faisal, who previously played for Ghanaian club Ebony FC, has been training with the Reds since July.

Elsewhere, striker Tadanari Lee, who represented Japan at the 2008 Olympics, has joined Sanfrecce Hiroshima from Kashiwa Reysol.

Lee, 23, has made 20 appearances this season, but has been looking to move to ensure regular first team football following the arrival of Brazilian forward Ancelmo Ramon in July.

Finally, Oita Trinita have signed former Jubilo Iwata midfielder Naoya Kikuchi, 24, from German third division club Carl Zeiss Jena.

Kikuchi returns to the J.League for the first time since 2007 and is available to face FC Tokyo on Saturday.