Manchester United agree Kagawa transfer

Manchester United agree Kagawa transfer

Jun 5, 2012 9:00:00 AM

The Borussia Dortmund attacker, who has been linked with Sir Alex Ferguson’s side for over a year, will join Old Trafford subject to a medical and UK work permit

Manchester United have signed Borussia Dortmund attacker Shinji Kagawa for an undisclosed fee.

The deal remains subject to a medical and a UK work permit but these should remain formalities for the player who has won 30 caps for Japan.

After Goal.com revealed United first lodged a bid at the end of May, the 23-year-old had been linked with a move to Sir Alex Ferguson’s side more strongly since Chelsea secured the signature of Eden Hazard.

Since joining Dortmund for £285,000 from Cerezo Osaka in 2010, Kagawa has helped Dortmund win consecutive Bundesliga titles, netting 29 times in 71 appearances.

Dan Orlowitz | Goal.com Japan Editor

"Tuesday’s announcement of Shinji Kagawa’s transfer to Manchester United is not only a great accomplishment for the player himself, but also an incredible validation of Japanese football’s advancement in the last two decades."

He picked up a metatarsal injury at the 2011 Asian Cup which ruled him out of the second half of his debut season in Germany. However, the Japanese star still managed eight goals in 18 games for the league campaign and was named in the Bundesliga Team of the Season.

This season the attacker also helped Dortmund win the DFB-Pokal Cup for the third time in the club’s history.

But having missed out on selection for Japan's 2010 World Cup squad, there is a chance that Manchester United may have to launch an appeal to be granted a UK work permit.

At present, Kagawa fails to meet the stringent criteria that requires a player to have played in at least 75 per cent of his country's competitive matches in the last two years, although his status as an 'exceptional talent' for the double Bundesliga champions should ensure he is on his way to Old Trafford.

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