Kagawa Shinji - the best Japanese footballer

Asian footballers in Europe play a lot, but only a few grow to top clubs. One of them is Kagawa Shinji. Footballer at an early age moved to Dortmund "Borussia" - the club was not yet strong in the European arena, and this is the unique case when the player grew up with the team (you can also recall another Japanese footballer named Shinji - Okazaki and his club "Leicester" ).

About this interesting player is to learn a little more.

Personal data and the beginning of a career

Kagawa Shinji was born on March 17, 1989 in Japan, Kobe. His height is 172 centimeters, weight is 65 kilograms. On the field, he prefers to occupy the position of the attacking midfielder. His favorite role is a playmaker, but no less successful Kagawa can play and as a winger on both flanks of the attack.

Football Kagawa began to engage in five years. He played in several schools in his hometown, and in 2006, at the age of 17, became the first Japanese football player to sign a professional contract: under his wing Kagawa took the club "Cerezo Osaka".

The club played at the time in the second J-league, and in 2009 thanks to the efforts of Kagava, who became the best scorer of the league in the season, "Cerezo Osaka" returned to the top division. In 2010, Kagawa debuted in the Jay League, but managed to play in it only 11 matches (7 goals scored). Scouts Dortmund "Borussia" have long watched the player, and such a bright start to the season finally convinced the leadership of the German club to sign the player.

In the "Cerezo Osaka" Kagawa took part in 125 games and scored 55 goals.

"Borussia Dortmund)

On July 12, 2010, Kagawa Shinji moved to the Dortmund Borussia camp. The deal amounted to 300 thousand euros.

"Borussia" just came out of the crisis, which hit her in the middle of zero. The last trophy was won only in 2002, after which, until joining the club Jurgen Klopp, who headed the "black and yellow" in 2008, "Borussia" was the middle peasant of the Bundesliga. The revival began in the 2010/11 season, when the "Dortmund" again became the champion of Germany. Kagawa played an important role in that championship, even though he missed half of the season due to injury.

Scoring for the new club Japanese midfielder began immediately. Particularly noteworthy was the performance of the player in the match against Schalke 04, sworn rivals of the Dortmunds. Before the game is usually modest Kagawa said that he will hit the gate "Schalke" twice. And it happened: "Borussia" won with a score of 3-1, and two goals in that game on the account of Kagawa. In his first season in Germany, the attacking midfielder scored 8 goals in 18 games and entered the "Bundesliga Team of the Year."

The season 2011/12 cost for the attacking midfielder without serious injuries. As a result, Kagawa almost regularly came out in the basis. In 2012, "Borussia" (Dortmund) once again won the Bundesliga.

A cut in Manchester United and return to Germany

In the summer of 2012, Kagawa had the opportunity to go to Manchester United, and the Japanese player decided not to miss the chance to work with Sir Alex Ferguson himself. On June 22, the attacking midfielder signed a four-year contract with the English club. The transfer amount is 17 million pounds.

In England, Kagawa began to score much less: in the first season for the "red devils" Japanese marked only 6 goals in 20 games of the championship, while in one of the meetings he made a hat-trick.

Season 2012/13 became a landmark for Manchester United. First, the club for the twentieth time won the championship of England. Secondly, at the end of the season, Sir Alex Ferguson completed his coaching career. Ferguson's departure is not the last reason Kagawa Shinji returned to Borussia in 2014. The Japanese scored the ball already in their first match after the return.

Personal life of Kagawa Shinji

About his personal life Kagawa tries not to talk much. The concealment of the footballer has led to numerous rumors about his relationship with the Japanese actress of the immodest genre of Amery Incios. Information was spread by British tabloids immediately after Kagawa's transfer to Manchester United.

The journalists subsequently got to the bottom of the truth. A real TV show hostess from Japan Margaret Natsuki was a real bride of Kagawa. Kagawa Shinji and his girlfriend even appeared together in public. Previously, the football player went out exclusively with his teammates.

Statistics and achievements of Kagawa

"Cerezo Osaka" (2006-2010): 125 matches, 55 goals.

"Borussia" (2010-2012): 49 matches, 21 goals.

Manchester United (2012-2014): 38 matches, 6 goals.

"Borussia" (2014-): 50 matches, 10 goals.

Japan (under 19 years): 4 matches.

Japan (up to 20 years): 2 matches.

Japan (up to 23 years): 3 matches.

Japan: 73 matches, 23 goals.

Achievements:

• Two-time champion of Germany: 2010/11, 2011/12.
• Winner of the German Cup: 2012.
• Champion of England: 2012/13.
• Winner of the Super Bowl of England: 2013.
• Winner of the Asian Cup in the national team of Japan: 2011.