Catania president Antonino Pulverenti has expressed his delight in welcoming back Takayuki Morimoto to the club, as the Japan international returned to Sicily following a short spell with Novara.

The 24-year-old striker, who has been resident in Italy since 2006, scored four goals in 18 Serie A appearances as Novara finished in 19th place during the 2011-12 season and suffered relegation to Italy's second tier. He had previously been sold to the Piedmont outfit on a co-ownership basis, after five years with Catania.

Speaking on Friday, however, Pulverenti affirmed that Morimoto would once more be a Catania player after completing a deal to purchase all of his transfer rights, also stating that he looked forward to welcoming him back to Sicily.

"We have always believed in [Morimoto], and we are delighted to be able to embrace him once more," the chief explained to reporters in a press conference.

Pulverenti also revealed that Slovak goalkeeper Tomas Kosicky would move the other way to Novara, while remaining tight-lipped on the future of Pablo Barrientos. "Let's see," was his response to the press.

"We are in a difficult situation but we could still do it."

Morimoto has made a total of 10 appearances for Japan, scoring three goals.