Kashiwa Reysol forward Junya Ito will join Belgian league leaders Genk on loan, the J-League club said Saturday.

The 25-year-old was a member of the senior national side at the AFC Asian Cup, where Japan missed their bid for a record-extending fifth title following their 3-1 loss to Qatar in the final on Friday.

"I've made this decision after considering how I can grow as a player, and I wanted to know how far I can go with my soccer," Ito said in a statement released by Kashiwa.

Since his debut for Ventforet Kofu in 2015, Ito has netted 23 times in 131 appearances in Japan's top flight. He joined Reysol the following year.

Ito played all 34 league matches last season as Reysol were relegated to the second division.

Genk lead Belgium's top flight by seven points, with 15 wins and six draws from their 23 matches.