NEW YORK -- Kei Igawa debuted as a New York Yankee on Monday, donning a pinstriped jersey and -- amid a flurry of camera flashes -- proudly delivering the speech for which he'd been rehearsing.

To recite his brief introduction in English, Igawa had put in about two days of study. But the moment was one he'd been preparing for all his life.

"Today, my lifelong dream became a reality, to be a Major League Baseball player," Igawa said. "I want to thank the New York Yankees, especially Mr. Steinbrenner and Mr. Cashman. I will give you my best as a Yankee. I'm here to do my best to win the championships for this great city, New York."

Igawa, 27, was officially introduced in a Yankee Stadium press conference after recently returning to the United States from Japan. The left-hander agreed to a five-year, $20 million contract with the Yankees on Dec. 27, following the Yankees' reported $26 million bid for exclusive negotiating rights a month earlier.

With the Yankees, Igawa will wear uniform No. 29, the same number he wore for his former club, the Hanshin Tigers, as one of the top pitchers in Japan's Central League. The number happened to be available, having been last worn by free agent reliever Octavio Dotel.

"I never dreamed I'd wear the number again," Igawa said through an interpreter.

Igawa's trip to Yankee Stadium was a repeat visit, having toured the facility during a Dec. 20 meeting with general manager Brian Cashman. Then, there appeared to be little question if Igawa would reach an agreement, having been spotted leaving the stadium wearing a satin Yankees dugout jacket.

He has obviously taken a shine to the team colors, speaking reverentially about the uniform top.

"I cannot believe it," Igawa said. "I'm in awe and of course a bit nervous wearing these pinstripes, knowing and having all this knowledge about the tradition and greatness of the New York Yankees."

Igawa comes to the Yankees off an impressive showing with Hanshin in 2006, when was 14-9 with a 2.97 ERA in 29 starts. Igawa tied for the league lead with 194 strikeouts and ranked second in the league in wins and complete games, while placing third in the circuit with 209 innings pitched and seventh in earned run average.

A strikeout artist who features a fastball that the Yankees report ranges from 87 to 92 MPH, a curveball, slider and what is described as a "plus" changeup, Igawa was not short on success in Japan, earning selection as a three-time Central League All-Star (2001, 2002, 2003).

Last year, he became the fifth-fastest pitcher in Japanese baseball history to record 1,000 career strikeouts, doing so in 1,058 innings pitched. Igawa said that appearing in the Major Leagues would fulfill a goal set when he first became a professional player nine years ago.

"Since that time, I've had this desire and this sense of hope that I would one day be in the big leagues," Igawa said. "That became reality, and of course the New York Yankees were one of the teams that I had hoped for."

Hideki Matsui was invited to Igawa's press conference on Monday, the Yankees said, but was unable to attend. The two have not spoken yet about Igawa's new affiliation, but the outfielder relayed a message for Igawa, delivered at the press conference by Yankees spokesman Jason Zillo.

"I am very excited Kei Igawa has become a member of the New York Yankees," Matsui said in a translated statement. "We played against each other many times in Japan, and I know first-hand that he is a highly talented player. On the other hand, if he gets knocked out of a game, he will hear it from me before he hears it from the fans. Let's work together and do our best to become world champions."

Quietly, the Yankees have tempered expectations for Igawa's Major League debut, with Cashman citing transition issues between life in Japan and the Major Leagues.

The Boston Red Sox may be leaning on Daisuke Matsuzaka to be of ace quality this season, but Igawa seemed uncomfortable answering one reporter's question regarding a 'rivalry' between Igawa and Matsuzaka.

Later, Cashman stated that the two pitchers are dissimilar, saying, "He's not Matsuzaka," and noting that Igawa should be projected as more of a long-term asset -- hence the five-year contract.

"We're trying to be very careful and respectful of the process, and not put too much on his shoulders," Cashman said. "He seems like a tough kid and he's obviously pitched in front of big crowds for a very successful organization. At the same time, there's going to be a lot of new experiences for him here in the States and in this league. We'll have to wait and see what we get."

Still, the Yankees are confident that Igawa has the work ethic and 'pitchability' to become a solid piece of the back end of the rotation in due time.

"We think he can be a successful pitcher in the Major Leagues," Cashman said. "There have been many pitchers to come over from Japan who have had a great deal of success here in the States. I think, in many ways, the way they teach the game over there ... is a lot more fundamentally sound."

With the Yankees' pending trade of Randy Johnson to the Arizona Diamondbacks nearly complete -- Cashman again declined comment until an official transaction is announced -- Igawa projects as New York's fourth starter entering Spring Training, behind Chien-Ming Wang, Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina.

Igawa said he could not describe himself as a Major League pitcher, nor did he have any statistical goals for his debut season in the big leagues. But he did have one request for any fans curious about how he'll fare in the American League.

"The only thing I can talk about myself is, please come to the Stadium and watch me pitch," Igawa said.