"The Texas Rangers believe they have secured the ace that has been missing from the franchise for many seasons, and the biggest sports star in Japan has signed with the major-league team at the top of his wish list.

Right-hander Yu Darvish and the Rangers agreed to a six-year, $60 million deal Wednesday afternoon only minutes before a 4 p.m. deadline at the end of a 30-day negotiating window.

The Yu-phoria officially began minutes later.

"Oooh, baby," read a text message from a high-ranking club official moments after the term sheet was signed and submitted to Major League Baseball.

Darvish will be introduced at a news conference Friday evening at Rangers Ballpark. He will wear No. 11, his uniform number in Japan, and will join a rotation that now has more starters than openings."