Shinji Kagawa started playing football in his primary school years. He joined Kobe NK Football Club from 1999 to 2001, and FC Miyagi Barcelona in Sendai from 2001 to 2005. Cerezo Osaka noticed his talent and signed him at the age of 17. He was the first player in Japan to sign a professional contract before graduating high school, except players promoted from youth teams of the J. League clubs.In 2007, he gained a regular position but the club missed the promotion to the J. League Division 1.
By mid-2010, Kagawa was represented with a sports agency run by retired German professional footballer Thomas Kroth, which ultimately handled his transfer to Borussia Dortmund.
Kagawa was back in time for the start of the 2011–12 Bundesliga campaign and quickly found his way back into the starting line-up. Kagawa scored his first goal of the new Bundesliga season on 18 September, coming in a disappointing 2–1 loss to Hannover 96, as his side gave up two goals in the last three minutes. On 22 October, Kagawa opened the scoring in the seventh minute as Dortmund crushed 1. FC Köln 5–0 in front of 80,200 home fans at the Signal Iduna Park. Kagawa scored again on 5 November, as Dortmund brushed aside Wolfsburg 5–1 and moved within two points of league leaders Bayern Munich. He scored a late consolation against Arsenal in a 2–1 loss in the group stage of the Champions League.
Reports emerged in Germany on Thursday that United had made a move for Kagawa and sources have confirmed to Goal.com that the club have made a formal bid for the Japan international.
United are believed to be hopeful of wrapping up a quick deal but it is understood that Arsenal's interest remains strong and the Londoners could also submit an offer for a key figure in Dortmund's back-to-back league titles.
United are believed to be hopeful of wrapping up a quick deal but it is understood that Arsenal's interest remains strong and the Londoners could also submit an offer for a key figure in Dortmund's back-to-back league titles.
Kagawa has only a year remaining on his contract and the Bundesliga club have hinted recently that they will not stand in the way of a transfer this summer.
Speaking last week, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said: "I had a meeting with his agent and Shinji Kagawa has informed us that he will definitely not be extending his contract. Should we now receive offers for Kagawa, then we will consider and negotiate them."
Goal.com exclusively revealed in April that United were lining up a bid to sign Kagawa, whose reputation has grown over the last few months.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistant Mike Phelan were then present at the DFB-Pokal final two weekends ago when Kagawa scored in Dortmund's emphatic 5-2 win over Bayern Munich.
Arsene Wenger is also an admirer of the Japanese midfielder, who arrived in Germany after the 2010 World Cup for a fee well below €350,000 and has been an influential presence in Jurgen Klopp's team.
He has scored 10 times in 30 international appearances, and his 71 appearances for Dortmund have yielded 29 goals, including the opener in the cup final, before setting up hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski's first of the game.
Speaking last week, Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc said: "I had a meeting with his agent and Shinji Kagawa has informed us that he will definitely not be extending his contract. Should we now receive offers for Kagawa, then we will consider and negotiate them."
Goal.com exclusively revealed in April that United were lining up a bid to sign Kagawa, whose reputation has grown over the last few months.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson and his assistant Mike Phelan were then present at the DFB-Pokal final two weekends ago when Kagawa scored in Dortmund's emphatic 5-2 win over Bayern Munich.
Arsene Wenger is also an admirer of the Japanese midfielder, who arrived in Germany after the 2010 World Cup for a fee well below €350,000 and has been an influential presence in Jurgen Klopp's team.
He has scored 10 times in 30 international appearances, and his 71 appearances for Dortmund have yielded 29 goals, including the opener in the cup final, before setting up hat-trick hero Robert Lewandowski's first of the game.
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