"Japan international Koji Nakata (not the Nakata who plays for Fiorentina) will sign for Marseille today," announced French newspaper Libération in January.

Thankfully, the one and only Koji Nakata hasn't mastered the language of his tactless hosts yet, but it was typical of the condescending sneers that have followed Hidetoshi's namesake around since he packed his bags for a bizarre introduction to French football.

Having left Kashima Antlers on a free transfer, the 25-year-old was denied the chance to confound his doubters by a slip of the pen in the Marseille front office.

The Mediterranean outfit wrongly registered him on their books from February 1, a day after the close of the transfer window, and the versatile defender was left twiddling his thumbs while his red-faced club negotiated a work permit.

One photo session later and Nakata was finally given the go-ahead to make his Ligue 1 debut against Saint-Etienne earlier this month.

What followed was a match played in heavy snow at the Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, and the left-back looked lost at sea in conditions many were convinced should have caused the game's postponement. "I'd never seen anything like it," he said. "I was amazed, and I know my first appearance in a Marseille shirt didn't go very well."

Television stations almost wore out embarrassing footage of Nakata trying to make a pass without the ball at his feet, and many a weaker-willed player would have been forgiven for catching the next flight home.

But the newcomer was touched by banners in the crowd bearing his name, and knows Philippe Troussier will give him time to settle in.

"It's flat-out rude to drag his reputation through the dirt by showing those images again and again," retorted the Marseille Coach. "You have to remember he's come here from another planet. I have total confidence in him."

Indeed, the two go a long way back, to when the globetrotting 'white wizard' took over the reins of Japan's Under-20 squad. Troussier quickly integrated the youngster into his team and convinced him to switch positions from defensive midfielder to full-back. Together, they took Japan to the final of the World Youth Championship in Nigeria in 1999, and when Troussier then stepped up to the senior side, he brought Nakata with him, making him a regular starter as Japan reached the second round of the last World Cup.

It's a track record of mutual respect that removes all suspicion that Marseille might simply be trying to tap into the lucrative Japanese market.

Troussier values Nakata's precision passing, his intelligent positioning and assured technique, and while he may have to put up with the "other Nakata" tag in Europe for a while, he is a veritable star in his homeland. His recent relationship with model Ryoko Yonekuna made the front cover of magazines all over the country, turning the couple into Japan's very own Posh and Becks.

On the pitch, Nakata found himself relegated to the bench for the following game against Lens behind another one of Troussier's winter recruits, Taye Taiwo. The young Nigerian impressed, but Nakata was given a chance to shine for the last half an hour and looked a different player to the one kicking fresh air against Les Verts.

Capable of playing in a number of positions across midfield and defence, he was back on the team sheet to face Monaco and looks set to make Marseille fans forget their short-lived fling with Bixente Lizarazu.

"I need to get used to the speed and physical side of the European game," he says, fiddling with the pocket translator he carries around at all times. "And I really want to learn French as soon as possible." The press should make an altogether more pleasant read by the time he does.