Former Man Utd and Dortmund star Shinji Kagawa returns to Cerezo Osaka

Former Japanese international Shinji Kagawa was formally announced as a Cerezo Osaka player on Sunday.

In a press conference held in Tokyo, the 33-year-old attacking midfielder ended his 13-year spell in Europe, where he won two Bundesliga titles with Borussia Dortmund, who were led by current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp. He then became the first Japanese player to play for Manchester United, where he became the first Asian to score a hat-trick in the English Premier League against Norwich City in March 2013. Kagawa also became the first Japanese to win the Premier League title when Manchester United were last crowned champions in 2013.

Kagawa also had spells in Spain, Greece and Belgium with Real Zaragoza, PAOK and Sint Truiden respectively.

At international level, Kagawa scored 31 goals in 97 appearances, winning the AFC Asian Cup in 2011 and featured at the 2014 and 2018 FIFA World Cup Finals.

He re-joins his boyhood club Cerezo Osaka on a free transfer. Kagawa began his professional career with Cerezo back in 2006 and was the top scorer when the club was in J2.

Cerezo finished 5th in J1 last year.