Powered Kagawa to shine at United

 

Japanese star Shinji Kagawa, strong support to make an impact for Manchester United, when he prepared to become Asia's most expensive player in English Premier League.

Kagawa teammates in the Japanese national team, said 23-year-old player is eligible to move to English giants, while analysts say, it's versatile midfielder will be an important asset for United - not only for its marketing potential.

"Shinji deserve to play for an elite club. He deserves it," said national team colleagues in Japan, Keisuke Honda, who plays for CSKA Moscow. "I hope he plays well."

Kagawa have stolen the spotlight with 21 goals in 49 appearances over two seasons for Borussia Dortmund - who won the German league and cup Germany this year - and have and can put a good position.

The agile player who used to play on the right side, can play behind the main striker either the left or right, and it also has defensive instincts, which are considered as important as the recruitment of United updating their team.

English league winners 19 times, now lose their Premier League title to neighbors Manchester City team this season, and slumped in Europe. Meanwhile, the flagship players like Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs and Park Ji-Sung was in the twilight of their careers.

On Tuesday, United said it had agreed to the terms of Kagawa, while waiting for medical clearance and visa. The deal is expected to be worth 12 million pounds (USD 175.93 billion), far exceeding the rates paid by United for the Park in 2005.

Kagawa fresh-faced now will be Asia's most expensive player in the Premier League and Japan's most outstanding player after Hidetoshi Nakata who starred in Serie A last decade.

But he was reluctant to say much when pressed by the media in Saitama, where Japan is preparing to deal with Jordan on Friday.

"I have not put pen to paper," said Kagawa, according to Kyodo news agency. "We still have two matches left, and the entire team focused on these qualifications."

"I'll talk about all this after I finish here. I hope people will understand."

Meanwhile, fellow Kagawa no doubt about her ability to set foot in Old Trafford, although the Premier League is often looked eye to Asian players.

"Kagawa can keep the ball in the smallest space and a quick decision," said the Arsenal winger Ryo Miyaichi told Kyodo News. "He can definitely play there (Manchester United)."

"He's number 10 Japanese, and I think he will be able to do even the glamorous clubs like Manchester United."

Meanwhile, the Japanese captain Makoto Hasebe, 28, said that Kagawa's move is like a dream when fiction and childhood.


"For the players of my generation, moved to the big club is just a story in comics," said Hasebe, who plays for VfL Wolfsburg in Germany. "I think kids today might feel like to be Shinji else."