Vissel Kobe defender Gotoku Sakai has tested positive for the new coronavirus, the J-League first-division team said Monday.

The 29-year-old former Japan international is the first J-League player to be infected with the pneumonia-causing virus.

According to Vissel, Sakai fell ill late Wednesday night with a 38 C fever and was diagnosed with upper respiratory tract inflammation at a hospital in Hyogo Prefecture the following day. His fever persisted, however, and he began to experience head and throat pain on Friday.

Sakai reported losing his sense of smell on Saturday and was advised to undergo a test for the coronavirus. His test came back positive on Monday afternoon.

(Andres Iniesta (center L) and Gotoku Sakai of Vissel Kobe)

Doctors believe that anosmia, or the loss of smell, and loss of taste are also symptoms of coronavirus.

J1 matches are set to resume on May 9 after play was suspended in late February due to the coronavirus outbreak. The league plans to release an updated season timetable next week.

On Friday, Nippon Professional Baseball's Hanshin Tigers confirmed three of their players tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

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