Dodgers sign Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda to eight-year deal

The Los Angeles Dodgers have reportedly signed Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda.

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to a deal with starting pitcher Kenta Maeda to an eight-year contract, the team announced. 

The deal was first reported by Jon Heyman.

Maeda, 27, plays professionally in Japan for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. Maeda has a career record of 97–67, with a 2.39 ERA and 1,233 strikeouts. 

Since his professional debut in 2008, Maeda has made three All-Star games, won three Golden Glove awards and captured the Sawamura award for best pitcher two times in his career. 

Maeda had until Jan. 8 to sign with a MLB team or else he had to return to Hiroshima for one more season.

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He asked to be posted twice before this winter, but his request was denied each time.