Shinji Kagawa is a Japanese professional football player who competes for both the Japanese national team and “Borussia Dortmund.” He is a solid playmaker who performs as an attacking midfielder and is renowned for his razor-sharp technique. He became the first Japanese player to sign a professional contract before completing high school when he signed one with “Cerezo Osaka” at the age of 17. In “Union of European Football Association” (UEFA) club competitions, he holds the record for both the most appearances and the most goals scored by a Japanese player. He began playing professional football with the Japanese club “Cerezo Osaka” before moving on to play for teams like “Borussia Dortmund” and “Manchester United.” Between 2010 and 2012, Kagawa spent two years playing for “Borussia Dortmund,” before agreeing to a four-year deal with “Manchester United.” In 2014, two years later, he went back to “Borussia Dortmund.” He made his Bundesliga debut in 2013 while playing for “Borussia Dortmund.” Kagawa became the first Japanese player to play for “Manchester United” when “Borussia Dortmund” and “Manchester United” finalized a transfer agreement for him in January 2012. He became the first Asian footballer to achieve a hat-trick in the “Premier League” in 2013 when he scored his first hat-trick for “Manchester United” against “Norwich City.”
Early Childhood & Life
On March 17, 1989, Shinji Kagawa was born in Kobe, Hyogo. His lifelong goal had been to play professional football. He began playing for “Marino FC” in 1994 when he was just 5 years old.
From 1994 until 1999, he was with “Marino FC” for 5 years. Kagawa reportedly carried a football around all day and even insisted on taking it to school, such was his love for the sport.
He represented “Kobe NK FC” from 1999 to 2001. He began playing for “FC Miyagi Barcelona” in 2001 and stayed with them through 2005. He had aspirations of joining the legendary “FC Barcelona” of Spanish football. The only thing that kept him going during the arduous training sessions was his enthusiasm for the game.
Career of Shinji Kagawa
Kagawa was discovered in 2006 by the Japanese football team “Cerezo Osaka,” which was on the lookout for up-and-coming talent. They accepted him into their club after being impressed by his abilities. With the exception of those who were promoted from the ‘J. League’ minor clubs, Kagawa was the first Japanese player to sign a professional contract before completing high school when he did so at the age of 17.
Shinji Kagawa was chosen to represent the Japanese national “Under-20” football team in 2007. He participated in the 2008 “Summer Olympics” for the Japanese team a year later.
On May 24, 2008, he made his senior international debut in a friendly game for the “Kirin Cup,” and on May 24, 2009, he made people take notice of him by leading the “J. League Division 2” in goals scored.
Due to a release clause in his contract with “Cerezo Osaka” that allowed him to leave the club cheaply if he got the chance to play in Europe, Kagawa was transferred from “Cerezo Osaka” to “Borussia Dortmund” at a comparatively low cost in early 2010. He debuted in the German “Bundesliga” in August while playing for “Borussia Dortmund.” He scored the first two goals for “Borussia Dortmund” against “Qaraba FK” in the “UEFA Europa League.” In September 2010, he scored the game’s lone goal as Japan defeated Paraguay.
Kagawa had promised to score two goals before a game against arch-rival “Schalke 04,” and he actually did it, grabbing a 3-1 victory for his team, “Borussia Dortmund.” He became an immediate favorite of football fans as a result.
In his first season in the “Bundesliga,” he managed to score eight goals in 18 appearances before tragedy struck in the shape of an injury. Unfortunately for him, the injury forced him to sit out the first part of his Bundesliga season. Despite this, he was selected for the “Bundesliga Best XI” because of his outstanding performance, which helped his team win the league.
He participated in the 2011 “Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup,” or “AFC Asian Cup,” where he contributed two goals to Japan’s 3-2 victory over Qatar in the quarterfinal match.
With 81 points, “Dortmund” set a “Bundesliga” record for most points scored in a season in January 2012 thanks to his able assistance in the league’s final standings.
Kagawa became the first Japanese football player to join “Manchester United” when “Borussia Dortmund” and “Manchester United” announced in June of that same year that they had agreed to a four-year contract. In response to a question about the transfer, an emotional Kagawa remarked in a news conference that he will always hold his previous team, their amazing supporters, and the entire city in his heart.
On August 20, 2012, he made his Premier League debut for Manchester United against Everton. ‘Manchester United’ was defeated in the game by a score of 1-0.
He made his first Champions League start for “Manchester United” in September 2012 against “Galatasaray.” He contributed an assist to Michael Carrick’s game-winning goal, which helped his team win 1-0.
In November 2012, Kagawa was awarded the title of “International Player of The Year” by the “Asian Football Confederation” (AFC).
He became the first Asian player to score a hat-trick in the “Premier League” during Manchester United’s 4-0 victory over “Norwich City” in the first half of 2013. He became the first player from Japan to win the Premier League after helping Manchester United defeat Aston Villa 3-0.
He won his Premier League medal on May 12 and was chosen as the “Man of the Match” for his role in his team’s 2-1 win over “Swansea City.” Additionally, he was a member of Japan’s 23-man team for the 2013 “FIFA Confederations Cup.”
On August 31, 2014, he returned to “Borussia Dortmund,” and on June 30, 2018, he renewed his contract. Later, the agreement was extended to 2020.
He was named “Man of the Match” for working his magic on the pitch during Japan’s 2-0 victory over Jordan in the 2015 “AFC Asian Cup.”
He is a current member of “Borussia Dortmund.”
Individual Life of Shinji Kagawa
Currently, Margaret Natsuki and Shinji Kagawa are dating. She is a former TV presenter and fashion model of Japanese descent. When the footballer was still with “Dortmund,” Natsuki interviewed him. This is how the couple initially came together.
Kagawa was said to have dated Ameri Ichinose, a star of Japanese adult entertainment, in the past, but he did not confirm or deny the reports. Additionally, Ichinose has performed work as “Ayaka Misora” and “Erika Kurisu.”
Shinji Kagawa Net Worth
Jiro Kagawa Shinji Kagawa is a Japanese professional soccer player with a $15 million net worth. He currently represents the Japan national team while playing as a midfielder for the English club Manchester United. In 1989, Shinji was born in Kobe, Hyogo, Japan. When he joined Marino Football Club at age five, he began playing soccer. He later played for FC Miyagi and Kobe NK Football Club while still a young man. Before receiving his high school diploma, Kagawa signed a contract with Cerezo Osaka. Shinji led Division 2 of the J. League in goals scored in 2009. Kagawa moved to Borussia Dortmund in Germany in 2010. He then agreed to a four-year contract with renowned club Manchester United as a goal-scoring midfielder. He joined the team as the first-ever Japanese player. Shinji’s first hat trick, which made him the first Asian player to accomplish so in the Premier League, happened in March 2013. Kagawa has also participated in national team competitions for Japan since 2008. In addition, he competed for his own nation in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Kagawa is renowned for his inventiveness and technical prowess. He has received acclaim for his decision-making on the field and for how effectively he manages himself. He’s also renowned for his superb passing skills.