Tim McNulty
A PREMIER League winner’s stint on Spain’s Costa del Sol has come to an abrupt end with his contract terminated after just four weeks – but Shinji Okazaki has now found a new club in the northeastern region of Spain.
The former Leicester striker has left Malaga CF without playing a single league game having joined on a free transfer in July, but the 33-year-old will remain in the Segunda Division, signing for SD Huesca.
Malaga has suffered financial problems off the pitch and had not budgeted properly for the Japan international’s wages.
This has left the 2016 title-winner back hunting for a new club having left the King Power Stadium earlier this summer.
Okazaki had been Malaga’s marquee signing when he joined on July 20.
The 33-year-old had hoped his move to Spain would boost his chances of making the Japan squad for the 2022 World Cup.
Malaga’s sporting director Jose had to publicly apologised to Okazaki and his agent after owner Abdullah Al Thani took a week to sanction the deal.
This was an early warning sign as La Liga later barred Okazaki’s registration as his contract would taking Malaga over their salary cap.
Before leaving, Okazaki had only been able to play three pre-season games and did not feature in any of Malaga’s opening league fixtures.
In a statement, the Spanish club said: “Malaga CF wants to thank the player for the commitment shown in this journey of time and wishes him the best of luck in his sporting future.”
