Shinji Kagawa

Shinji Kagawa (born 17 March 1989) is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for J1 League club Cerezo Osaka. He is widely regarded as one of the best Japanese players of all time. Kagawa began his professional career in Japan with Cerezo Osaka, where he became the first midfielder in J.League history to claim the top scorer title, playing as a shadow striker. In the 2009 season, he formed a partnership with Takashi Inui, which played a role in his emergence as the J2 League's top scorer. He led the J2 League in both goals and assists that season. He joined Borussia Dortmund in 2010. After two years with Dortmund, Kagawa signed for Manchester United on a four-year contract. Two years later, he returned to Dortmund. He later played for Beşiktaş in Turkey, Real Zaragoza in Spain, PAOK in Greece, and Sint-Truiden in Belgium before returning to Japan, rejoining Cerezo Osaka at the end of January 2023. Kagawa holds the record for most appearances and goals by a Japanese player in UEFA club competitions. Since making his senior international debut in May 2008, he has won over 90 caps and scored over 30 goals. On 29 November 2012, Kagawa was named the Asian Football Confederation's International Player of the Year.

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