Shinji Kagawa becomes first Asian player to join Juan Mata on common goal and give one per cent of wages to charity

FORMER Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa has joined Juan Mata’s Common Goal project.

Momentum is building around the initiative that sees players pledge at least one per cent of their wages to football charities across the world.

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Bournemouth’s Charlie Daniels and Swansea’s Alfie Mawson last week became the first English players to commit to the cause, with Borussia Dortmund and Japan midfielder Kagawa now following suit.

Kagawa, 28, is the second Bundesliga star to join the initiative after Mats Hummels committed last month.

And the ex-Old Trafford middle man has become the first player from Asia to sign up to the cause.

Kagawa said: “I’m really excited to announce to you today that I’ve joined Juan Mata on the Common Goal team.

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“Football has given me so many opportunities in life and now I want to play my role in supporting others through the game.

“Common Goal is quickly growing around the world and I’m proud to help lead the movement forward in Japan.”

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Mata, a former team-mate at Old Trafford, said: “I know first-hand that Shinji is a special footballer and a brilliant person. It’s a great pleasure for me to welcome him to the team today.”

Signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012, Kagawa left Manchester United after being sold by Louis van Gaal and has netted 17 times in the Bundesliga since returning to the Westfalenstadion.

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