JAPAN midfielder Shinji Ono's manager's meeting with Western Sydney Wanderers last week has all but secured his signature.

Ono's FIFA agent Akiyama Yusuke was content with the offer on the table for his client, according to Japanese sources, after moves for German legend Michael Ballack became complicated.

Ono is on the outer at his J-League club Shimzu S-Pulse due to Iranian coach Afshin Ghotbi's younger player policy.

Ono - 33 tomorrow - will receive $800,000 for a season in a salary equal to Shimizu's package.

The UEFA Cup winner with Holland's Feyenoord in 2002 and three-time Japan FIFA World Cup representative has a good command of English.

He is reportedly in first-class condition to start the Wanderers' A-League debut against Central Coast at Parramatta Stadium on October 6.

Akiyama did not respond to emails, while a Wanderers spokesperson last night said Ono talks were continuing.

Meanwhile Football Federation Australia chief executive Ben Buckley will help launch the A-League's eighth season at Parramatta Stadium in a first for the competition.

FFA has decided to host two launches on Tuesday - one at Parramatta and the other in Melbourne.

Fox Sports' presenter Adam Peacock will host the Melbourne party before Heart and Victory kick the season off with a blockbuster match at Etihad Stadium on October 5.

The launch is looming to be one of Buckley's last public appearances for the A-League.

He is expected to sign off with a fresh lucrative TV rights deal involving Fox Sports and SBS.

Originally published as A-League closer to securing Ono