Shinji Kagawa becomes first Asian player to join Common Goal | OneFootball

Borussia Dortmund and Japan midfielder Shinji Kagawa is the latest Bundesliga player to join Juan Mata’s Common Goal initiative.

Kagawa played alongside Mata at Manchester United and joins fellow Bundesliga stars Mats Hummels, Serge Gnabry, Dennis Aogo, and TSG Hoffenheim head coach Julian Nagelsmann in pledging 1% of his earnings.

Kagawa becomes the first Asian player to sign up to the initiative, following the announcements of the first South American (Nicole Regneir) and first African player (Jean Sseninde) earlier this week.

Juan Mata had the following to say:

“Shinji knows a thing or two about being first.

“He was the first player from Japan to play at Manchester United and then the first to win the Premier League. So I think it’s fitting that he’s now the first to join Common Goal as well. I know first-hand Shinji is a special footballer and a brilliant person. It’s a great pleasure for me to welcome him to the team today.