Japanese left-handed reliever Yuki Matsui has signed a five-year contract with the San Diego Padres, the major league club said Saturday, with the deal expected to be worth $28 million.

The 28-year-old, who has recorded 236 saves with a 2.40 ERA in 10 seasons, all with the Rakuten Eagles in the Pacific League, will join compatriot Yu Darvish at the Padres.

The Eagles' first-round draft pick ahead of the 2014 season, Matsui led the PL in saves for the third time this year, topping the category for the second year in a row with a career-best 39.

Rakuten Eagles relief pitcher Yuki Matsui pitches against the Nippon Ham Fighters in their Pacific League game at Sendai's Rakuten Mobile Park on Oct. 5, 2023. (Kyodo)

Related coverage:

Baseball: Yamamoto, Dodgers agree to 12-year, $325M deal: report

MLB star Ohtani No. 1 among Japanese men in "athlete image" survey

Baseball: New Dodger Shohei Ohtani flicks the script with unusual dog name