Melbourne City goalkeeper Tando Velaphi is on the verge of a transfer to the J-League – if his club can find a replacement in the next few weeks.

Velaphi was City's No.1 keeper last season, but has lost his place in the team this year after John van 't Schip signed former Danish international Thomas Sorensen in the off-season.

Overseas opportunity: Melbourne City goalkeeper Tando Velaphi is keen for a move to Japan. Credit:Getty Images

Perth-born Velaphi has a Zimbabwean father and a Japanese mother, so can qualify for a Japanese passport and play in Japan without taking up a foreign visa spot.

City are happy to let him go, reasoning that if he is guaranteed first-team football at his age (28) it would be a good career move.

But they are also loathed to let go an A-League standard keeper without having a good back-up signed to take his place. That will be their challenge, while Velaphi has to hope they succeed.