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August 29, 2024
Nagasawa, 32, began his senior career in Germany, where he assisted FC Köln in being promoted to the Bundesliga in 2014. Since then, he has participated in almost 300 professional games, mainly in the J1 League.
Over the previous ten years, the one-cap Japanese international won three major titles. First, he grabbed the Emperor’s Cup with the Urawa Red Diamonds in 2018 and the AFC Champions League in 2017; second, he won the J League Cup with Nagoya Grampus in 2021.
Phoenix’s head coach, Giancarlo Italiano, thought Nagasawa was a perfect fit for the direction he intended to take the team this season.
“I remembered Kazuki from his time at Urawa, where he was a very influential player.
“And when I heard he was interested in playing in the A-League I was keen to make a deal happen. Because he’s played as an out-and-out midfielder, as a left-sided midfielder, as a 10, and as a winger, I thought he’d be perfect for us.
“I want players that are able to play three or four different positions, because that’s what I’ll ask of them in games as we’ll constantly change shape.”
For the next campaign, Nagasawa will play in the men’s midfield alongside club captain Alex Rufer, Iraqi international Mo Al-Taay, rising All-White Fin Conchie, and two-time A-League champion Paulo Retre.
“I’m very happy with the acquisitions of Nagasawa and Retre. I think they’re going to add a lot to the team,” said Italiano.
“You need depth in a squad. It’s very, very important. I don’t think any team gets through the whole season with the bare XI.
“It also allows us to change things within the game as well. Whoever comes off the bench can add something and finish games for us.”
Although Nagasawa had yet to receive a work visa, he was anticipated to join the team next week.
“It’s big for Japanese players to play overseas and since returning from Germany I was always thinking of trying again before I finished playing,” he said.
It’s a good move for me and my family. My wife and I have talked about wanting to experience life together in another country.
“I also have 10 years’ experience as a professional player and I’ve heard there are a lot of young players at the club so maybe I can share my experience and knowledge [with] the young players on the pitch.
“My strengths are my passing quality, my ability to control the game as a midfielder and also hard work, which every coach needs.”
Seven weeks before the A-League season begins, Kazuki Nagasawa is the 20th confirmed member of the Phoenix men’s team.
The 31-year-old Retre has played 181 games for Sydney FC and Melbourne City in the tournament. Most recently, he played in the Indian Super League in Goa.
During his six seasons with Sydney, he won two premierships and two championships.
“I’ve been in the A-League for a long time, and was looking for a new challenge. I’ve had some interest in the past from Wellington.”
Retre wants to bring Wellington his championship pedigree.
“I still have that hunger to succeed. I could have stayed at my old club, had another season there, but I chose to try a new adventure.”
“Last year was such a great year. Obviously some players have gone, but that happens when you’re successful. Now it’s about trying to build on that and do something better.”
From the previous season, the Phoenix lost several important players.
Ben Old signed with Saint-Etienne in France, goalkeeper Alex Paulsen joined the English Premier League team Alex Paulsen, attackers Bozhidar Kraev and Oskar Zawada left, and defender Finn Surman joined Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.
Giancarlo Italiano is happy to be back with a player he worked with at Sydney FC.
“In terms of the midfield role, he’s going to give us an extra layer, not only with the ball, but defensively he’s very good,” said Italiano.
“I had a lot of time with Paolo when he was at Sydney. He’s been abroad, he’s had some good experience in India. He won the league a couple of times with Sydney as well, he’s been part of that winning group.”
“A lot of last year’s success was about the young boys, but it was also contingent on the fact that all of the older boys stepped up. Kosta Barbarouses, Alex Rufer, all of them really made it easier for those young boys to shine.
“The priority for me is making sure we have a balanced squad.”
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and football sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Football News Today, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for football, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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