Former Korean MVP Lee Dae-ho has joined the Orix Buffaloes in Japan, the club announced.

In a press release, the Buffaloes said they have signed the 29-year-old infielder formerly with the Lotte Giants of the Korea Baseball Organization, but did not disclose other details of the deal.

Lee has reportedly signed a two-year contract worth 700 million yen ($9 million).

<YONHAP PHOTO-1622> 아직까지 롯데맨 이대호 (통영=연합뉴스) 최병길 기자 = 일본 진출을 앞두고 있는 롯데 이대호가 30일 오후 경남 통영 충무마리나리조트에서 열린 납회식에 참석해 롯데 자이언츠 유니폼을 입고 대화를 갖고 있다.2011.11.30 choi21@yna.co.kr/2011-11-30 16:05:19/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2011 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Lee Dae-ho
아직까지 롯데맨 이대호 (통영=연합뉴스) 최병길 기자 = 일본 진출을 앞두고 있는 롯데 이대호가 30일 오후 경남 통영 충무마리나리조트에서 열린 납회식에 참석해 롯데 자이언츠 유니폼을 입고 대화를 갖고 있다.2011.11.30 choi21@yna.co.kr/2011-11-30 16:05:19/ <저작권자 ⓒ 1980-2011 ㈜연합뉴스. 무단 전재 재배포 금지.> Lee Dae-ho

Lee Dae-ho

The hulking first baseman, listed at 194 centimeters and 130 kilograms, was voted the KBO’s MVP in 2010 after leading the league in an unprecedented seven offensive categories, including the Triple Crown categories of home runs, RBIs and batting average.

This year, he won his second straight batting title with a .357 average and led the league in hits and on-base percentage.

In 11 seasons with Lotte, Lee batted .309 with 225 homers and 809 RBIs. He declared for free agency this offseason and was immediately pursued by Japanese clubs.

The Buffaloes had two Korean veterans in 2011. Former Major League Baseball pitcher Park Chan-ho and first baseman Lee Seung-yeop were teammates on Orix, but both have since left the team after a disappointing stint.

(Yonhap News)


koreaherald@heraldcorp.com