Football
Stephan Uersfeld, Germany correspondent 7y

Borussia Dortmund open talks over Shinji Kagawa contract renewal

Borussia Dortmund have confirmed contract talks with Shinji Kagawa as he approaches the final year of his current deal.

Kagawa, 28, returned to Dortmund in 2014 after a two-year spell with Manchester United and, while he has struggled to match his previous standards, he has enjoyed a good spell of form in recent weeks.

Dortmund sporting director Michael Zorc told kicker that talks are taking place with the midfielder's agent "to see in which direction we are headed."

He added: "We've noticed that he plays pretty well. Shinji has turned this around, and also performs under pressure."

Kicker added that Dortmund are hopeful an agreement will be reached with the Japan international, who has played in a total of 181 competitive matches for BVB since joining the club as a 21-year-old in 2010.

Meanwhile, Neven Subotic has expressed his gratitude to the Dortmund fans after returning to the Westfalenstadion as part of the Cologne team for Saturday's 0-0 draw.

Subotic, who joined Cologne on a six-month loan in January and is not expected to return to Dortmund, said farewell to fans in the Sudtribune stand after the match while the BVB players stood behind him.

"It felt legendary," Subotic told Dortmund's in-house TV channel. "That I got this special moment with the fans is one of the best moments ever, and I had a lot of great moments here. It was in no way to expected.

"I am not sure how many players are welcomed back like this when they are sent on loan or have left the club -- I can definitely count myself among the most fortunate people."

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