Former Leicester City player Shinji Okazaki has claimed he aims to return to the King Power one day in an interview with Real Sports.
The former Japanese international may be 37 now, but that has not stopped him from continuing his playing career. The forward is still plying his trade in Belgium with Sint-Truiden. With six appearances to his name with the Belgian club, he has scored one goal in 90 minutes of football.
The Jupiler Pro League club is the fourth club he has played for since leaving Leicester in 2019. Okazaki also played for Spanish clubs Malaga, Huesca and FC Cartagena.
The forward is currently the highest-scoring active Japanese player with 50 goals. That figure also makes him the third highest on the all-time list. His transfer to Leicester in the summer of 2015 saw another achievement as a part of Leicester City’s historic title-winning team.
But despite his successes, the 37-year-old has endured hardships throughout his career, with this season in Belgium his 14th playing away from his home country. He may have got to play at the highest level, reaching the Champions League quarter-finals with the Foxes and winning the Premier League. However, Okazaki discussed the hardships he faced while at the King Power.
Despite signing for a large sum, the Japanese forward was not a regular in the team and was often on the bench. Even when starting for the Foxes, he rarely played a full 90 minutes. In the side’s title-winning season, Okazaki only missed two games. However, of the 36 games he featured in, only three saw the forward feature for a full 90 minutes.
The forward discussed how he regrets not enjoying his time in England more. He plans to return to see familiar faces. His frustrations could also be why many Japanese players struggle to adapt to a playing career outside of their home country.
“I wonder if it was better to have more fun in the Premier League. Sometimes I left from the middle, and sometimes I went out as a starter and took turns in 50-60 minutes. There were a lot of things that I wasn’t satisfied with, and I might get stressed, but…”
I’m playing at the premiere. So I won the championship and went to the UEFA Champions League. That’s really amazing, on the stage that I’ve always wanted. And yet, I remember why I was so strict with myself. I didn’t have to be so frustrated. I should have tasted more of the feeling of playing at the premiere at that time.
Writer’s View
Okazaki may hold regrets about his time in England, but it has not stopped him from enjoying his football. No matter what he thinks about his Foxes career, the Japanese forward will always be a part of English history playing in that title-winning team. Hopefully, his visit to the King Power Stadium can help him make peace with his time playing for the club.