After returning from Manchester following his medical and contract signing, Shinji Kagawa landed in Tokyo’s Narita Airport and confirmed to the Japanese press he had turned down the chance to wear the famous #7 shirt.
“I’ve just joined the team and haven’t accomplished anything yet,” Kagawa told journalists. “I want to make a name for myself [at United] on my own terms.”
He said that he had asked for a number “with personal meaning”, which has to lead to speculation in the Japanese media that the player could wear the 8, 26, or 29 as he did at Cerezo Osaka, or the 23 shirt he donned at Dortmund. Anderson currently wears 8 but there is the possibility he will be moved on this summer, whilst Tom Cleverley has the 23 shirt. 26 was last worn by Gabriel Obertan who moved to Newcastle last season and 29 belonged to Tomasz Kuszcak who has just joined Brighton.
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