Brisbane Roar teammates Tameka Butt and Elise Kellond-Knight have signed with Japanese Nadeshiko League side Iga FC.

The duo will join the first division side at the conclusion of the 2014 Asian Cup for the remainder of the regular season, which finishes in mid-August.

Fresh off being awarded the Julie Dolan Medal for the 2013/14 W-League Player of the Year, Butt is pleased with the move to Japan.

"We are really excited about the opportunity to play with Iga FC and thankful that they reached out to us," she said.

"Japan have been at the top of women's football for last four or five years so I think we have a lot to learn from our teammates and the league."

Iga FC finished fourth in the competitive Nadeshiko League but have had a slow start to a season which is just five games old.

Although they are sitting in eight position,  the Ninjas (which they are nicknamed), are not yet concerned with three time defending champions INAC Kobe Leonessa, a team which boasts some of the best players in the world including 2011 FIFA World Player of the Year Homare Sawa, only one place above them.

The Japanese league and its players are known for their technically demanding style of play with the results paying dividends on the world stage at all levels.  Both Butt and Kellond-Knight are looking forward to making a contribution to Iga FC as well as testing and improving their skills in a respected league.

"They were looking to get some Australian players into the squad to give them some variety so hopefully we can help in that way."

"KK and I are definitely looking forward to the technical and tactical side of the Japanese game."

"The team trains regularly on clay fields so we are looking forward to coming back with a good touch!"

Brisbane have been one of the few W-League clubs to look to recruit in Asia with goalkeeper Hoshimi Kishi (two seasons) and midfielder Sachiko Tatsus (one season) two Japanese players that have been on the Roar roster. 

The deal for the two time W-League championship players was brokered by Michael Cook of Kick International in Brisbane.

Cook, who has followed the careers of Butt and Kellond-Knight closley, utilised his strong contacts in the Asian region to identify possible targets with Iga FC working as the best fit.

While several Australians have consistently made the transition to European and US football, the move to Asia has been a rare occurrence with only Servet Uzunlar (South Korea) to travel that path in recent seasons.  The move sees Butt and Kellond-Knight follow in the footsteps of one of Australian football's pioneers Julie Dolan and former Matildas captain Cheryl Salisbury.

The newly crowned Julie Dolan Medallist is looking forward to the challenge and sharing the adventure with close friend Kellond-Knight.

"I think we are more excited than daunted."

"We have heard a lot of good things about Japan being a great country, the people being very friendly and culturally it is amazing."

Butt and Kellond-Knight are anticipated to join Iga FC at the conclusion of the Asian Cup in late May before returning for Season 7 of the W-League.