DORTMUND MAKE A MINT ON KAGAWA

KAGAWA OFF TO ENGLAND

Shinji Kagawa - Samurai Blue

Japan's rising star Shinji Kagawa is set to make official the signing that the entire world already seems to know about. Kagawa has spent the past two seasons winning trophies with German champs Borussia Dortmund, and is now set to move to Manchester United.

The versatile midfielder slash forward is said to be on his way for a transfer fee of 17.5m euros. Dortmund have the player on contract only for one more season so the option to take the cash now is an obvious choice. The Germans however, have made a 'motza' with the 23 year old, having signed him for just 350,000 euros in the summer of 2010. Wow! Unlucky Japan, unlucky Cerezo Osaka.

Some have questioned the signing not on terms of ability but a 'star' factor that fans sometimes crave. Jamie Jackson at the Guardian in the U.K. sees Kagawa as the second pick behind 21 year old Belgian talent Eden Hazard who went for 32m pounds (English pounds - not euros) to Chelsea. Jackson said, ". . . there is nothing hollywood about Kagawa . . ." in his piece, but it's the 'fans' while always craving big names, that can also be responsible for making big names. Kagawa may be humble, but if Manchester United enjoy success off the back of him, he'll soon become a household name. Lionel Messi is a star and he doesn't have to blow his own trumpet.

Interesting times for Japanese soccer and Manchester United.  On a personal note I can see Kagawa forming a great partnership on and off the field with Wayne Rooney. The Briton will appreciate Kagawa's unselfish attitude, and he'll be happy to help the new man settle, while his own star returns to top billing. The only disappointment for Japan is the tiny fee Kagawa went for in 2010. Unfortunately Cerezo Osaka didn't have a sell on clause in the contract either. A time of contrasts for Japanese soccer.