Thu, 28 Oct, 2021
Augsburg: Japan international Takashi Usami is set to return to the German Bundesliga after joining FC Augsburg from 2008 AFC Champions League winners Gamba Osaka on a four-year deal, the Bavaria-based club announced on Monday.
The move will see the former J.League Rookie of the Year, join a club in Germany’s top flight for a third time having signed on loan for Bayern Munich in 2011 before moving to 1899 Hoffenheim in another loan move the following season.
A return to Gamba followed in 2013 where his 19 goals in 18 J2 games helped propel the Osaka side back to Japan’s top flight following their shock relegation, with the 24-year-old (pictured) going on to play a major part in Gamba’s phenomenal J.League, Emperor’s Cup, and J.League Cup treble win the following season.
“I continued to follow the Bundesliga from Japan and FC Augsburg have developed massively in the past few seasons. I am very pleased to be back in the Bundesliga,” Usami said in a statement on Augsburg’s official website, as reported by Kyodo News.
Augsburg Sporting director Stefan Reuter added: “We’re delighted that we were able to make the transfer happen, as Takashi Usami already has lots of Bundesliga experience, despite being so young. In the last few years he has developed enormously at Gamba Osaka. We’re convinced that he will help our team with his qualities.”
No strangers to dipping into the East Asian talent pool FC Augsburg, who previously had Usami’s compatriot Hajime Hosogai on their books, currently boast a trio of Korea Republic internationals in the shape of defender Hong Jeong-ho, former Sunderland striker Ji Dong-won, and attacking midfielder Koo Ja-cheol, top scorer as the Taeguek Warriors finished third at the 2011 AFC Asian Cup.
Photo: AFP