Borussia Dortmund's success over the past two seasons has certainly paid off for Shinji Kagawa. At the age of 23, the first Japanese player to join Manchester United is already an experienced campaigner.
He signed a pro contract with Cerezo Osaka before leaving high school, and after more than 100 appearances for the J League side, he won back to back Bundesliga titles with Dortmund. His performance in the German Cup final battering of Bayern Munich convinced Sir Alex Ferguson to make his move. The fee was undisclosed, but not small.
Dortmund's double winning campaign was certainly the most successful of Kagawa's career so far, but he's also no beginner on the international front. He was part of Japan's 2008 Olympics squad but missed out on the 2010 World Cup. Since then he's been a regular for his country, and featured in their 2011 Asian Cup triumph -- although he missed the final with that classic footballer's injury, a broken metatarsal.
With 17 goals and 13 assists for Dortmund last season, Kagawa's abilities are obvious. Sir Alex has already praised his skill, vision and eye for goal. And his refusal to take United's iconic number 7 shirt suggests he's humble too. He'll wear 26 instead.
They may have missed out on Eden Hazard, but Shinji Kagawa looks like a pretty good consolation for United. He could provide the midfield flair they were missing last season... even if his choice of girlfriend, Japanese adult entertainment star Ameri Ichinose, might not meet with Fergie's approval.
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