Shinji Okazaki Draws Media Crowds

- The striker speaks of his excitement at playing in the Barclays Premier League for Leicester City 

- Japanese media reflect on Shinji’s and the Premier League’s growing popularity in Japan 

Shinji took centre stage as media from across Japan got the chance to quiz the summer signing on a host of topics ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season. 

The 29-year-old has scored 43 goals in 93 appearances for his country at international level and has unsurprisingly drawn a high level of interest from Japanese media since his arrival at King Power Stadium. 

After a pre-season training camp in Austria earlier this month, Shinji made his first appearance in a blue shirt against Lincoln City on Tuesday night, when he set up Riyad Mahrez for City’s first goal in a 3-1 win. 

Among the throng of media in attendance on Friday afternoon was journalist Masatoshi Mori from Hochi Shimbun, who has previously interviewed Shinji when he was with former club FSV Mainz. 

Speaking after the press conference, Masatoshi gave Foxes Player HD an insight into how Shinji is thought of back in his homeland. He said: “He’s a very popular figure [in Japan], he’s a goal scorer and we love him. We really want him to succeed in the Premier League and hopefully score heavily for Leicester next season. 

“The Premier League’s popularity is increasing every year and Shinji is an exceptional goal scorer for the Japanese national team. We hope he can break into the Premier League for more Japanese players next season. 

“He was talking about how playing in the Premier League is his dream and he just gave us a really positive vibe about it. He’s really looking forward to playing in this league with Leicester. He’s 29 years old but he feels like he’s a newcomer. 

“I think he has a fighting spirit and that’s the quality Japanese players are criticised for not having sometimes. But he has it. He has the instinct to score goals and I hope he can show his real ability in the Premier League.”