Shinji Kagawa, Japan footballer: Profile, Career, News & Videos

Shinji Kagawa is a Japanese professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Cerezo Osaka. He is widely regarded as one of the best Japanese players of all time.

Kagawa became the first midfielder in J.League history to claim the top scorer title, accomplishing this while playing as a shadow striker. In the 2009 season, he formed a devastating partnership with Takashi Inui, which played a key role in his emergence as the J2 League's top scorer. He led the J2 League in both goals and assists.

Kagawa began his professional career in his homeland with Cerezo Osaka before joining Borussia Dortmund in 2010. After two years with Dortmund, Kagawa signed for Manchester United on a four-year contract. Two years later, he returned to Dortmund. Kagawa holds the records for most appearances and goals by a Japanese player in UEFA club competitions. He later also played for Beşiktaş in Turkey, Real Zaragoza in Spain, PAOK in Greece, and Sint-Truiden in Belgium before returning to Japan, as he rejoined his boyhood club, Cerezo Osaka at the end of January 2023.

Since making his senior international debut in May 2008, he has won over 90 caps and scored over 30 goals. On 29 November 2012, Kagawa was named Asian Football Confederation International Player of the Year.

From 2023 onward, Kagawa has primarily been deployed as a central midfielder. Under head coach Arthur Papas, he made a notable impact in the opening match of the 2025 J.League season—the Osaka Derby—by scoring one goal and providing one assist in a 5–2 victory, further highlighting his influence in a deeper midfield role.