Pitcher Kim Byung-hyun has returned home to South Korea to play for the Nexen Heroes after a long career in the U.S. and Japanese major leagues.

Kim told reporters Friday that he decided to join the team because he wanted to pitch in South Korea, vowing to do his best regardless if he is opening or closing a game on the mound.

Nexen earned the right to sign Kim in a special draft for overseas-based players in 2007, and he and the team finalized his deal to join on Wednesday.

Kim will join his Nexen teammates for overseas training in the U.S. state of Arizona beginning next Friday.