Maya Yoshida has left J-League club Nagoya Grampus to join Dutch outfit VVV-Venlos.

The 21-year old defender put pen to a three-and-a-half year deal with the Eredivisie club, achieving a lifelong dream to play in Europe.

"I have made up my mind to play for VVV to fulfill my dream of making it big in Europe," Yoshida told Nagoya's official site.

Yoshida was very thankful to Nagoya for the opportunities he received at the club but was looking forward to a fresh challenge.

''I met many people and learnt a lot these nine years since I joined the junior youth team. I can't imagine myself wearing a shirt that is not red but I decided to move for my dream to play well in Europe," he added.

Yoshida could be joining fellow countryman Keisuke Honda at Venlo but recent reports suggest he is on the verge of joining Russian club CSKA Moscow.