Photo: Roberto Morejón (taken from JIT)

Havana, January 26 (RHC)-- Cuban slugger Alfredo Despaigne signed a new contract to play for the Softbank Falcons in the Japanese Professional Baseball League.

Despaigne, with several years in the Japanese circuit, signed the document at the Latin American Stadium, along with Yovani Aragón, vice-president of the Cuban Baseball Federation (FCB).

The athlete will play for one more season with the Fukuoka-based franchise, and according to his performance, he may extend his contract.

Talking to the press, the slugger expressed his satisfaction for having made a career in Japan, the second strongest league in the world, where he has learned a lot.

He also acknowledged the challenge his club will face this season, after winning the Japan Series four times (2017-2020) and being eliminated in 2021.

Finally, he confirmed his desire to return to play with the Alazanes de Granma and to represent Cuba in international competitions

On Tuesday, Liván Moinelo and Yurisbel Gracial, who together with Despaigne are leaving for Japan to join Softbank's preseason, signed their contracts.

Several days ago, the players contracted through the FCB in the Chunichi Dragons club left for the Land of the Rising Sun.