• Football
  • Boxing
  • UFC
  • Home
  • Football
    • England
    • Transfer News
    • Premier League
    • Champions League
    • Lionel Messi
    • Cristiano Ronaldo
    • EA FC 25
    • Wrexham
  • Boxing
    • Tyson Fury
    • Anthony Joshua
    • Oleksandr Usyk
    • Mike Tyson
    • Jake Paul
    • Logan Paul
  • UFC
    • Dana White
    • Conor McGregor
    • Khabib Nurmagomedov
    • Jon Jones
    • Paddy Pimblett
    • Joe Rogan
  • Other Sport
    • Athletics
    • Formula 1
    • MMA
    • Motorsport
    • NBA
    • Darts
    • NFL
    • Snooker
    • Wrestling
    • Tennis
    • Cricket
    • Golf
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • UNILAD
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
Snapchat
TikTok
YouTube
Shinji Kagawa's Career Has Taken A Very Unexpected Turn In The Last Few Years

Home> Football

Updated 12:38 10 Jan 2022 GMTPublished 09:59 10 Jan 2022 GMT

Shinji Kagawa's Career Has Taken A Very Unexpected Turn In The Last Few Years

Kagawa was once considered the future of Manchester United.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

Shinji Kagawa's career has taken a dramatic twist, with the midfielder now signing for Belgian side STTV after leaving PAOK.

Kagawa is best known for his two year spell with Manchester United between 2013 and 2015, being one of Sir Alex Ferguson's final signings.

The Japan international would underwhelm in his first season at Old Trafford and Ferguson stressed the best was still to come.

He wasn't fancied by new manager David Moyes however and he failed to score a single goal in 2013-2014, despite making four more appearances.

Image
Alamy

Moyes opted to use youngster Adnan Januzaj over Kagawa and Juan Mata's club record arrival in January 2014 meant the writing was on the wall.

Ferguson was asked about Kagawa in 2014 and he believes the 32-year-old 'gave up' when Mata came through the door.

"Every manager has his own philosophy. When Moyes signed the Spanish superstar Mata, Kagawa felt that he no longer was the first choice, and gave up a hope a bit," he told BILD.

"I was very satisfied with Shinji. "He settled well, and I had the feeling that he felt comfortable.

Image
Alamy

"I believe that BVB and Kagawa did everything right."

Kagawa would return to Borussia Dortmund, who he'd impressed at before joining United, initially on loan and then on a permanent deal.

It was with Dortmund Kagawa played his best football and his first stint saw him register 13 goals and 13 assists under Jurgen Klopp in 11-12.

He didn't come close to those numbers upon his return with the closest being nine goals and nine assists in 15-16.

Image
Alamy

Kagawa spent a six months on loan with Besiktas in Turkey before joining Real Mallorca in Spain's second division.

He'd only spend a year with Mallorca before having his contract terminated and moving on to PAOK on an 18-month deal in January 2021.

Fast forward 11 months and Kagawa agreed to mutually part ways due to not being part of the manager's plans.

Despite featuring 12 times, only three of those were starts and both sides thought it was best to move on.

It was announced on Monday that Kagawa has now joined STTV who are 13th in the Belgian Pro League, after spending a month without a club.

What an unexpected twist.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: Manchester United, Borussia Dortmund, Japan

Daniel Marland
Daniel Marland

Daniel is a social editor for SPORTbible after moving from the writing team. Nearly scored past Stormzy at Old Trafford once.

X

@DanMarland_

Choose your content:

12 mins ago
an hour ago
9 hours ago
10 hours ago
  • TV 2 Sport
    12 mins ago

    Denmark Player Launches X-Rated Rant about Scott McTominay and Scotland on Live TV

    He spoke to reporters on the Hampden Park pitch.

    Football
  • Twitch/@angryginge13
    an hour ago

    Angry Ginge Refused To Let One Player Sign Soccer Aid Shirt After Incident

    Ginge said he wouldn't let the player sign his shirt in 'a million f***ing years'.

    Football
  • Getty
    9 hours ago

    World Cup Play-Off Pots Confirmed As Wales And Ireland Learn Potential Opponents

    Wales, Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are all in the play-offs.

    Football
  • BBC Scotland
    10 hours ago

    Andy Robertson Pays Emotional Tribute To Diogo Jota As Scotland Qualify For World Cup

    Robertson was speaking to BBC Scotland after he captained his side to their first World Cup since 1998.

    Football