The defender played a key role in Corrimal's Illawarra Premier League title in 2019 and he helped Rockdale claim the NSW National Premier Leagues premiership in 2020.

Now, having joined the Wollongong Wolves for the upcoming season, the Japanese talent is determined to ensure his new side returns to the top of the ladder in 2022.

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"This is a great opportunity to work with coach Luke Wilkshire," Kanaizumi said. "I know how hungry he is to win, he always hates losing. That's the same as me, I want to win the league, I'm very hungry to win.

"My goal is to win the league, that's one of the reasons I've moved to Wollongong. It's the most important goal for me and for the team."

Kanaizumi is one of two Japanese visa players to sign with the Wolves, Takumu Tsujimura joining the team from Mt Druitt, having also played for Bulli in 2020.

The crafty midfielder will fill a key gap that was exposed throughout the 2021 season.

With Takeru Okada departing last summer, the Wolves were left without a link between the defence and attack.

It's a gap the team struggled to fill, with attackers Lachlan Scott and Marcus Beattie often forced to create their own chances rather than focusing on finishing off attacking raids.

Wollongong coach Wilkshire expects that to change next season, with Tsujimura to play a crucial playmaking role.

"Takumu's a technical player," Wilkshire said. "He's something different from what we've got. He's able to link between the midfield and the attack and he can find passes.

"He's not a hold midfielder, he's more an eight or a ten. He can create, he can find passes, we've got players up top who he will be able to provide for.

"We knew we had to fill that gap. We struggled through the middle last year. Now we've got a good balance, a good variety. We have a lot of players with different attributes to help this squad."

The impact of visa players on a team's roster is pivotal to success in the NPL competition.

Okada and Englishman Thomas James led the Wolves to their drought-breaking premiership in 2019.

Neither man played a game last season, with Okada's replacement Van Elia lasting just eight matches before joining Wollongong Olympic in the IPL.

James has since signed with Marconi, along with former Wolves teammate Taylor McDonald.

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In Kanaizumi and Tsujimura, Wilkshire is confident he's recruited two visa players who will feature prominently throughout 2022.

"It's very important to have two visa players who contribute to the side," Wilkshire said. "You want a good balance and we lacked that last year, but this year is definitely better.

"I've known Banri since I coached him in the NSW side. He's been one of the best defenders in the NPL in the last two years.

"He's a ball-playing centre-back who can play the six. He's very comfortable on the ball, which is what we want.

"Knowing him personally, I know he will fit into the group of players and our culture perfectly."

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