PLYMOUTH Argyle's links with Japan will be strengthened next month when a party of 19 young footballers from Yokohama spend a week at the club.

The talented teenagers attend the soccer school run by former Japanese superstar Yasuhiko Okudera in Japan's second city.

Some of them have previously been on the books of clubs that play in Japan's professional football league, the J League.

Okudera, who played for FC Koln, Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen in the 1970s and 1980s, was appointed Argyle's president last year and given a 'global ambassador' role.

During their stay, the Japanese will be provided with expert coaching by Pilgrims' legend Kevin Hodges, who also coaches at Argyle's Centre of Excellence.

They will be special guests of the club for the Coca-Cola Championship clash with Sheffield Wednesday at Home Park on Saturday, August 29.

They will also play games against youth teams from both Argyle and Exeter City - Okudera knows Grecians' director of football Steve Perryman from his days in Japan.

Both matches will be played at Elburton Villa's Haye Road ground - against Argyle on Friday, August 28, kick-off 2pm, and against Exeter two days earlier, also with a 2pm kick-off. Admission is free of charge.

"Their visit is to enhance their football experience and to sample the English culture," said Tony Campbell, the Plymouth businessman who represents Japanese director Yasuaki Kagami at Board meetings.

"The players are not viewed as potential recruits for Plymouth Argyle."

This could be the forerunner of a number of similar visits from youngsters from both Japan and the USA, where the Pilgrims' new Board members also have extensive contacts.

"This is the first of many such trips that we believe are capable of generating significant income for the club in the future," said Tony.