“I am very grateful to all those who have been involved in this transfer,” Nakajima told Urawa’s official website.

 

“It's been a long time since I've played in Japan, but I'm really looking forward to playing with this team. I'll do my best to play well on the pitch and contribute to the team's victories.”

Nakajima started his career with Tokyo Verdy before joining FC Tokyo and he shone during Japan’s appearance at the 2016 AFC U23 Championship, winning the Most Valuable Player award as he led his country to a berth at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

 

He secured a move to Portuguese side Portimonense in 2018 having spent the previous season on loan with the club but a year later made a switch to Qatar’s Al Duhail.

 

Nakajima left Qatar, where he won the Amir’s Cup, after less than a season to return to Portugal to join Porto for the 2019/20 season. But his stay at the Estadio do Drago ended in 2022 after loan spells at Al Ain and Portimonense with his switch to Turkey.

 

The winger made his debut for Japan’s senior side in March 2018 under former coach Vahid Halilhodzic, scoring in a 1-1 draw with Mali but has not played for the national team since appearing in a 4-1 loss against Venezuela in November 2019.

He has joined an Urawa side that is currently fourth in the J.League standings and who will play either Lee Man from Hong Kong or Indonesia’s Bali United in the playoffs for the 2023/24 AFC Champions League at Saitama Stadium on August 22.

 

The winners of that game will qualify for the group stage of the continental championship.

 

Nakajima’s signing comes a day after the club announced the arrival of Thailand international Ekanit Panya, who has joined on loan from Muangthong United.