Japan Under-23 international goalkeeper Akihiro Hayashi has secured a scholarship with Plymouth Argyle.

He is the first player to benefit from a partnership between the club and Plymouth University.

The 22-year-old sports science student will study at the university and train with the first team at Home Park.

Hayashi played for Japan at the 2007 Under-20 World Cup in Canada and was part of the Under-23 squad which qualified for the Beijing Olympics.

Plymouth goalkeeping coach Geoff Crudgington told the club website: "Having seen him play, we are confident that we will be able to help him become a top-class goalkeeper.

"He has impressed everyone with his ability, enthusiasm, and attitude, and we are all looking forward to working with him."

A Japanese-led consortium took a majority shareholding at Plymouth in July.

Japanese businessman Yasuaki Kagami now owns 38% of the shares at Home Park.

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