Shinji Kagawa is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for J1 League club Cerezo Osaka.
29 Facts About Shinji Kagawa
2.
Shinji Kagawa is widely regarded as one of the best Japanese players of all time.
3.
Shinji Kagawa holds the records for most appearances and goals by a Japanese player in UEFA club competitions.
4.
On 29 November 2012, Shinji Kagawa was named Asian Football Confederation International Player of the Year.
5.
Shinji Kagawa started playing football at the age of five.
6.
Shinji Kagawa joined Marino Football Club from 1994 to 1999, Kobe NK Football Club from 1999 to 2001, and FC Miyagi Barcelona in Sendai from 2001 to 2005.
7.
Shinji Kagawa missed half of the Bundesliga season because of an injury he picked up on international duty with Japan, but managed to score eight goals in 18 appearances.
8.
Shinji Kagawa won the Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund in 2012 as they set a Bundesliga record scoring the most points in a season in the Bundesliga, with 81.
9.
Shinji Kagawa scored a goal and provided an assist for Dortmund against rivals Bayern Munich in the 2012 DFB-Pokal Final.
10.
Shinji Kagawa scored a total of 13 goals and had 8 assists during that season.
11.
On 18 July 2012, Shinji Kagawa was handed a two-minute appearance to mark his Manchester United debut in Durban, South Africa, against AmaZulu in a pre-season friendly match.
12.
Shinji Kagawa made his first start for the Red Devils against Ajax Cape Town on 21 July 2012, and scored his first goal against Shanghai Shenhua four days later.
13.
Shinji Kagawa was assigned the shirt number 7 which was vacated by Jonas Hofmann who had left Dortmund to 1.
14.
On 14 July 2017, Shinji Kagawa extended his contract with Dortmund until 2020.
15.
That led to Shinji Kagawa joining Turkish club Besiktas on loan for the remainder of the season.
16.
On 9 August 2019, Shinji Kagawa completed a transfer to Real Zaragoza of Spain's Segunda Division, penning a two-year contract.
17.
On 2 October 2020, Shinji Kagawa's contract was terminated by Zaragoza.
18.
On 27 January 2021, Shinji Kagawa joined Super League Greece club PAOK on a one-and-a-half-year contract.
19.
Shinji Kagawa left PAOK almost after a year, having only 12 appearances in competitive games, of which only three were as a starter.
20.
On 10 January 2022, Shinji Kagawa signed with Belgian club Sint-Truiden.
21.
On 31 January 2023, Shinji Kagawa returned to Japan, joining his boyhood club Cerezo Osaka on a free transfer.
22.
Shinji Kagawa played as a member of the Japan under-20 national team in the 2007 FIFA U-20 World Cup held in Canada.
23.
Shinji Kagawa was included in the 2011 AFC Asian Cup by coach Alberto Zaccheroni.
24.
Shinji Kagawa was selected for his first World Cup in 2014, but made little impact as the "Samurai Blue" was eliminated at the group stage.
25.
Shinji Kagawa participated in Japan's quarter-final match against the United Arab Emirates.
26.
Shinji Kagawa has good composure on the ball and disciplined decision making and passing.
27.
Shinji Kagawa is an agile player who tends to roam around the opponents' defense looking for an intelligent and creative pass or through ball.
28.
Shinji Kagawa has great attacking play both on and off the ball.
29.
Shinji Kagawa has great attacking positioning which allows him to have one of the best eyes for goal.