Cologne sends Tomoaki Makino back to Japan

Published Jan. 11, 2012 9:40 a.m. ET

foxsports

Cologne says it is sending defender Tomoaki Makino back to Japan for one year on loan to the Urawa Red Diamonds to gain more experience.

Makino arrived in Cologne one year ago from Sanfrecce Hiroshima but has made only eight Bundesliga appearances.

Cologne sports director Volker Fink says the 24-year-old Makino ''needs to play regularly'' and that Cologne wants to ''help in his further development'' at home.