Japan international Yuto Nagatomo is expected to sign for Marseille on a free transfer to provide cover for left-back Jordan Amavi, coach Andre Villas-Boas said on Sunday.

“He arrived today (Sunday) in Marseille and will undergo tests tomorrow. We hope everything goes well,” Villas-Boas told Telefoot following his team’s 3-2 win at Brest in their first game of the new Ligue 1 season.

“We were looking for an experienced player. He’s played 12 matches in the Champions League these past two and a half years. He has the experience of being captain, a leader in the dressing, and he speaks several languages.”

Nagatomo, who turns 34 next month, would be reunited with international team-mate Hiroko Sakai at Marseille and serve as back-up to Amavi, who the club are keen to sign to an extension.

He spent seven years with Inter Milan before joining Galatasaray at the start of 2018.

Nagatomo has played 122 times for Japan and appeared for his country at the last three World Cups.