The 21-year-old Cerezo Osaka winger/striker said on his current club's website he was leaving for a four-month loan spell at Perth Glory on Thursday morning, however Ferguson moved to clarify he's only joining them on trial for now.

“It's a bit premature at this moment. The boy is going to come down and play a part in the next two games we've got against Melbourne Victory and Melbourne Heart,” Ferguson told au.fourfourtwo.com. “We'll see how he comes in and plays.”

The 2011-12 Grand Finalists currently have two roster spots still available, with one visa slot still unused too, following the departures of Dutchman Victor Sikora and Brazilian Andrezinho.

Ferguson said he was hoping to sign an attacking player and felt Nagai's versatility throughout the midfield and forward-line could make him an ideal option.

“He can play anywhere across the line from seven to 11, to number 10, which will be good for us,” he said.

“He's a good age, he's a Japanese youth international, captain of the Under-19s so he's got a good pedigree.”

Glory's move for the Cerezo Osaka talent comes only weeks after champions Brisbane Roar loaned in another Japanese youngster, 19-year-old youth international defender Yuji Takahashi from Kyoto Sanga, in what's forming as a new trend for the A-League.

Ferguson revealed how the interest in Nagai came about, with Glory searching for players in new frontiers.

“We've been scouting about and we got wind that the player was available and was unhappy that he wasn't getting a lot of game time,” he said.

“We had a look at him and we saw he was what we were looking for. He covers three major positions.

“Technically the Japanese are very good and he's quite fast as well. He's a six footer too which is great. We got wind of it and have pursued it.”

Nagai, who was expected to arrive in Perth on late Thursday evening, had told the Cerezo website he hoped to use his A-League experience to become a new “powered-up” player.

"I apologise for causing the team trouble by leaving in the middle of the season. After being on a pro contract for two-and-a-half years, I feel like I haven't been able to contribute to Cerezo," Nagai said.

"From my first year of junior high school I was a member of Cerezo's youth teams, and I love this club, so I want become a player who can score for Cerezo. I want to work hard at Perth Glory and come back grown up as a player. I hope I can show you a 'powered-up' Ryo Nagai."