FLOWERY BRANCH, Gerogia (July 5, 2007) -- The Atlanta Falcons signed Noriaki Kinoshita, a native of Osaka, Japan, who played the past three years with the Amsterdam Admirals of NFL Europa.
Kinoshita ranked fourth in NFL Europa in kickoff returns with 532 yards and added 21 catches for 308 yards and two touchdowns.
In 2006, Kinoshita led the league in kickoff returns with 19 for 530 yards (27.9 yards per return).
Kinoshita is the second player from Japan to sign with the Falcons. The first, tight end Nachi Abe, lasted 10 days in the 2000 preseason.
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