Ogawa leave NEC and become the highest-paid Japanese player ever in his homeland
Koki Ogawa is on the verge of leaving NEC. Voetbal International report, among others, that the Nijmegen club are close to an agreement with Machida Zelvia over a transfer. Ogawa will miss this week's second leg against FK Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League play-offs.
Tuesday evening in Norway was already set to come too soon for Ogawa. The Japanese striker has been struggling with an eye injury and physical discomfort, so a place against Bodø/Glimt was never expected.
On Monday, sources told VI that Ogawa is joining Machida Zelvia for two million euros. He will travel to Japan shortly to complete the deal with the J1 League leaders.
In Japan, Ogawa is reportedly set to become the highest-paid Japanese player ever in the J1 League. ESPN report that the striker's annual salary is around two million euros.
Since 2023, Machida Zelvia have been playing at the highest level in Japan and are underlining their ambition by investing heavily in Ogawa's arrival. The NEC forward previously played in his home country for Júbilo Iwata and Yokohama FC, among others.
Back in 2022, Ogawa made a name for himself by scoring 26 goals in 41 matches for Yokohama. That earned him a loan move to NEC, who later brought him to the Netherlands on a permanent deal.
Even at NEC, the 29-year-old Ogawa did not have much prospect of a starting place. Bryan Linssen and Kaj Sierhuis are ahead of him in the pecking order for the central striker role.
