Western Sydney Wanderers star Shinji Ono will return to Japan once his contract is up at the A-League club.
His contract keeps him at the Wanderers until May and he will play out the current A-League season as well as the group stage and round of 16 (if Western Sydney qualifies) at the AFC Champions League.
His departure will bring to an end a two-season tenure in the A-League as the club’s inaugural marquee signing.
The Japanese superstar said he wanted to finish his career in his home country to be closer to his wife and two young children, who remained in Japan when he came down under in 2012.
He will join second-tier Japanese side Consadole Sapporo for the rest of their season as they attempt to gain promotion to the top-flight J-League.
Wanderers chief executive Lyall Gorman praised the contribution of Ono in building the club in its infancy.
“He will always be a part of the Wanderers family and story as history records it over time. We wish him every success in his return to his homeland and thank him for his incredible contribution to our club’s birth and journey thus far.”
