Kuala Lumpur: Japan international Hajime Hosogai transferred to Thailand’s Buriram United from Kashiwa Reysol on Thursday.
Hosogai, who began his professional career with Urawa Red Diamonds in 2005, assisted the club to numerous titles such as the J.League, Emperor’s Cup and the Japanese Super Cup in 2006, including the 2007 AFC Champions League.
In 2011, the midfielder made his move overseas to German club Bayer 04 Leverkusen before transferring to Hertha BSC two years later. After a stint in VfB Stuttgart, Hosogai returned to Japan, playing for Kashiwa Reysol in 2017.
On the international level, Hosogai made his debut for the Samurai Blue in the 2008 Summer Olympics with the U-23 side, and was called up to the senior team for their 2011 AFC Asian Cup campaign, where he scored one goal in the semi-finals and eventually lifted Japan’s fourth Continental title.
His move to Buriram United signals the Thai League champions’ pursuit to make a mark in the 2019 season, with the domestic title to defend, as well as an eighth appearance in the AFC Champions League.
Buriram are drawn with China PR’s Beijing Guoan and two-time ACL Champions Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors of Korea Republic, as well as a yet-to-be determined Japanese club in Group G.
Photos: AFP
Source: the-afc.com