FRANKFURT, May 15 (SW) - Eintracht Frankfurt have announced that Japan international striker Naohiro Takahara will join the club effective July 1.

The 26-year-old Takahara leaves Hamburger SV after four seasons, scoring 13 goals in 97 Bundesliga appearances.

He proved unable to complete a full match for the northern club this season, however, and thus joins Frankfurt, the only newcomer to the Bundesliga able to retain a spot in the first division.

Frankfurt finished 14th in the Bundesliga and secured UEFA Cup football after a surprising German Cup run which saw them make the final, losing 1-0 to Bayern Munich.

Takahara, who its was announced on Sunday would be travelling with the Japan squad to Germany, has scored 15 goals in 40 international appearances.

Japan face Australia, Croatia and Brazil in Group F action, opening against Australia on June 12 in Kaiserslautern.