MANCHESTER UNITED hero Shinji Kagawa has rejoined childhood club Cerezo Osaka after a successful career in Europe.
Kagawa, 33, returned to his homeland after a short stint at Sint-Truiden with his career seemingly coming full circle.
Ex-Manchester United ace Shinji Kagawa returned to Cerezo OsakaMark Robinson – The Sun
Osaka’s website announced: “Shinji Kagawa – He’s HOME!
“We are pleased to announce that Shinji Kagawa will join from Sint-Truiden on a permanent transfer.
“A press conference will be held on February 11.”
Kagawa’s former club issued a touching farewell as they described him as a “world-class player”.
Sint-Truiden’s sporting director Andre Pinto said: “We are honoured that such a world-class player as Kagawa has been a part of Sint-Truiden.
“Shinji regularly showed his class during his time with us, and he was also a mentor to our young players.”
Kagawa kicked off his professional career with Osaka in 2006 at the tender age of 17 years old and amassed a whopping total of 57 goals as well as 17 assists in 127 appearances.
That earned the midfielder a blockbuster move to Borussia Dortmund in 2010.
The former Japan international won two consecutive Bundesliga titles with Dortmund in 2011 and 2012, which is when he undertook the biggest challenge of his career.
That was when he joined United on Sir Alex Ferguson’s final year in charge.
Kagawa won the Premier League and the Community Shield with the Red Devils in 2013.
The Japanese star left Old Trafford just a year later, with six goals and 10 assists in 57 appearances under his belt.
HOW TO GET FREE BETS ON FOOTBALL
Shinji Kagawa joined Manchester United in 2012 and spent two yearsPA:Empics Sport
Kagawa returned to Dortmund and stayed for another five years, one of which he spent on loan at Besiktas.
He then underwent short spells at Real Zaragoza, PAOK and of course Sint-Truiden.