The Malta Independent 16 April 2024, Tuesday
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Dortmund bring Shinji Kagawa back from Man United

Malta Independent Sunday, 31 August 2014, 18:14 Last update: about 11 years ago

Borussia Dortmund re-signed Shinji Kagawa from Manchester United on Sunday to end the Japan midfielder's frustrating two-year spell in the Premier League.

Dortmund announced in a statement that the 25-year-old signed a four-year deal through June 2018.

The Bundesliga club did not disclose a transfer fee but German media suggested a fee of around 8 million euros ($10.5 million).

"The possibility of signing Shinji Kagawa from Manchester United only arose for the first time in the last few days," Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said. "Naturally we decided to add his enormous quality to our squad once again."

Kagawa helped Dortmund win the Bundesliga in 2011 and 2012 in his two seasons at the club after moving from Japanese side Cerezo Osaka for a reported fee of 350,000 euros ($460,000).

He scored 21 goals and set up 12 more in 49 Bundesliga games for Dortmund, despite missing six months with a broken foot. He also scored with former Manchester United coach Alex Ferguson watching in the stands as Dortmund beat Bayern Munich 5-2 in the 2012 German Cup final.

However, after moving to Manchester for a reported fee of around 16 million euros ($21 million), Kagawa struggled to impress in the Premier League. He played in only 38 league games from a possible 78, seven as a substitute, while he was taken off in 21.

"The day I left (Dortmund), I said in an interview that the chapter Borussia Dortmund was not closed in my life," Kagawa said. "I wanted to fulfill my dream of playing in the Premier League. Now I am simply delighted to be back."

 
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