Dortmund confirm Kagawa capture

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed Shinji Kagawa will return to the club following an underwhelming stint at Manchester United.

Kagawa left Dortmund in 2012 to move to Old Trafford, but was unable to nail down a regular starting place under Alex Ferguson or David Moyes.

First-team action proved no easier to come by for the Japan midfielder in the early stages of Louis van Gaal’s reign at United.

And Kagawa will now be reunited with Jurgen Klopp at Dortmund, who have tied the 25-year-old to a four-year deal after agreeing to pay an undisclosed fee.

Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke said: “Shinji Kagawa is a technically highly gifted creative player who can determine the pace of an encounter.

“He wanted [a move] back to Borussia Dortmund and we are sure that with us [he will find] that peace, time and appreciation he needed, after two years with irregular working time, to again reach his highest levels.”

Kagawa, who won two Bundesliga titles in his previous spell with Dortmund, expressed his delight at returning to Signal Iduna Park after two years in the Premier League.

“I said on the day of my departure, in an interview, that the chapter [at] Borussia Dortmund for me is not complete,” he said.

“I wanted to fulfill a dream to play in the Premier League. Now, I’m just glad to be back in Dortmund.

“The BVB is like a family. I am proud that she never forgot me and I must again belong to [them].”

Kagawa is set to make his second debut for Dortmund on September 13, when Klopp’s men take on Freiburg.

He will also have the opportunity to swiftly renew acquaintances with English opposition after Dortmund were drawn alongside Arsenal in Group D of the UEFA Champions League.

Arsenal visit Germany on September 16, with the return meeting set to take place at the Emirates Stadium on November 26.