Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
Japan icon Nakamura ready to take on Spain
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
Yahoo! Search
Search:
Sign InNew User? Sign Up
News Home -
Help
Navigation
Primary Navigation
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Secondary Navigation
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
Search
Search:
Japan icon Nakamura ready to take on Spain
AFP - Friday, August 28
MADRID (AFP) - - Barcelona may have signed Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the summer but neighbours Espanyol pulled off a transfer coup of their own with the capture of Japanese star Shunsuke Nakamura from Celtic on a free transfer.
ADVERTISEMENT
It has been hailed as the most exciting Espanyol signing since 1964 when Argentine great Alfredo di Stefano arrived at the club at the tail-end of a glittering career with Real Madrid.
An estimated 7,000 fans and 300 journalists turned up for the presentation of Japan icon Nakamura who has become a leading Japanese football export after playing in Italy, Scotland and now Spain.
"My first intention when my Celtic contract was up was to return to Japan," Nakamura said in local Barcelona newspaper 'Sport'.
"I had a lot of offers and I turned them down as playing in Spain was one of my dreams and something that I couldn't pass up."
Not many Asian footballers have come to Spain but Nakamura is well-travelled having left his homeland in 2002 to join Reggina before heading to Celtic where he won three league titles in four seasons.
"I am used to adapting to different cultures and I will do everything to fit in here," revealed Nakamura. "The culture is different to Japan but not as much as in Scotland and Italy.
"The fans are different in every country. I have played in Scotland and Italy but I have never seen fans like here at Espanyol."
Nakamura, 31, is a free-kick expert - famously scoring a spectacular free-kick against Manchester United in Celtic's 1-0 Champions League group win back in 2006 - and hopes to show the Espanyol fans what he can do with his left foot.
"There is a lot of competition when it comes to taking free-kicks," said Nakamura. "At the moment there are no left-footed free-kick takers and if it comes up I hope I can take one.
"However, my first priority to integrate with my team-mates, train hard and make sure I am a regular in the first team."
With the 2010 World Cup around the corner, Nakamura, capped 87 times by his country, needs to be playing regularly although the midfielder insists it is too early to start thinking about the showpiece in South Africa.
"I am not thinking about the World Cup at the moment," declared the ex-Celtic man. "I just want to play my best football for Espanyol and I know that if I don't play well here the coach won't use me."
Nakamura has been handed the number 7 shirt and played his first game for the club in a 3-0 pre-season friendly win over Liverpool that inaugurated Espanyol's new Cornella El Prat stadium.
Argentine coach Mauricio Pochettino lauded Nakamura for his attitude and said he had high hopes for the upcoming season.
"We hope he can fulfill the expectations we have of him," said Pochettino. "He is a great footballer and has shown that throughout his career."
It is a lucrative deal for Espanyol whose profile in Japan has been elevated significantly but for Nakamura the media attention is nothing new.
"I am used to speaking with the Japanese journalists and I have no problem with them as everyone has their job to do," he explained. "I am 31 years old and consider myself a normal person. I am family man and like to live a quiet life.
"I will live on the outskirts of the city because if not I will have a load of cameras outside my front door every day."
Email Story
IM Story
Printable View
Blog This
Sign in to recommend this article »
0 users recommend
Related Articles: Asia Pacific
Japan opposition set for win, faces economic woesReuters - Friday, August 28
NKoreans' quiet food aid trip to USAFP - Friday, August 28
Two Koreas near deal on reunions of split familiesReuters - Friday, August 28
Japan icon Nakamura ready to take on SpainAFP - Friday, August 28
US asks China not to harm family of Uighur leaderAFP - Friday, August 28
Enlarge Photo
Japan icon Nakamura ready to take on Spain
Most Popular – Asia Pacific
Viewed
Kidnapped US girl walks into police station 18 years on
Profile of swine flu begins to emerge: study
Microsoft apologizes for photo gaffe
Ciudad Juarez, deadliest city in the world: watchdog
Singer Chris Brown sentenced for Rihanna assault
View Complete List »
Search:
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Top Stories
Most Popular
Copyright © 2009 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Privacy Policy
- Terms of Service
- Community
- Intellectual Property Rights Policy
- Help
Other News on Friday, 28 August 2009 'At least 18 killed' in NW Pakistan suicide attack
Russia charges mystery ship suspects with piracy
Regulators open inquiry into wireless industry
Stanford group finance officer admits huge fraud
Family gathers for Kennedy's final journey
Facebook tightens safeguards after Canada talks
Boeing delays Dreamliner delivery to late 2010
US on recovery track after unrevised GDP drop
Iran MP says rape of some vote detainees proven
Facebook, under Canadian pressure, to tweak privacy
Colombian senator tells Chavez: Open Your Eyes!
| International
|
UN council extends Lebanon force with same mandate
| International
|
EU diplomats say Cuba dissident case worrying
| International
|
US-TECH Summary
Microsoft cuts Xbox price by 25 percent
French official to talk iPhone troubles with Apple
| Technology
|
Suicide bomber kills 22 Pakistani border guards
Mona Lisa comes to life in high-tech art exhibit
| Technology
|
Pakistan suicide bomber hits checkpoint; 18 dead
Tropical Storm Danny churns toward northeastern US coast
Regulators open inquiry into wireless industry
| Technology
|
Myanmar's Suu Kyi to file appeal on case next week
Taiwan confirms 543 dead, 117 missing after typhoon
China endorses resolution on climate change
End military surveillance missions, China tells US
Firefighters battle 3 Calif. wildfires amid heat
East Timor rights abusers unpunished, Amnesty says
GDP declines 1 percent in 2Q, better than expected
US to Malaysia: Stop human trafficking quickly
Vt. gov. says he won't seek re-election
Drone attack in northwestern Pakistan kills 6
Rep. Jenkins: GOP looking for `great white hope'
Elderly have their own worries on health overhaul
India's Tata Steel reveals surprise net loss
Taiwan parliament approves reconstruction budget
Yen gains as risk appetite wanes
Mona Lisa comes to life in high-tech art exhibit
| Entertainment
|
Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus lead U.S. singles chart
| Entertainment
|
Just a Minute With: Tim Gunn of Project Runway
| Entertainment
|
Laura Linney to star in cancer comedy on TV
| Entertainment
|
Death Cab For Cutie scores lead New Moon single
| Entertainment
|
Beyonce to perform at the MTV Video Awards
Denzel Washington movie call takes job fair tone
Time Warner Cable, Verizon to test TV on the Web
| Entertainment
|
Prostitutes turn models for a night in Rio fashion show
TV pitchman Trudeau has FTC fine, ban thrown out
| Entertainment
|
Al Qaeda number 2 urges support for Pakistan jihad
Two Koreas reach deal on reunions of split families
| International
|
Swiss businessmen not returned from Libya: Bern
US-TECH Summary
Poland marks 65th anniversary of Lodz ghetto liquidation
Japan opposition set for win, faces economic woes
| International
|
Saudi security official survives attack
Kidnapped US girl walks into police station 18 years on
Dell net profit down 23 pct
FCC to probe competition in US wireless industry
U.S. hints at flexibility on Israeli settlement halt
AIG extends improbable rally as bears squeezed
Netanyahu calls for 'crippling sanctions' against Iran
Boeing delays 787 Dreamliner first delivery to late 2010
Google adds translation program to Google Docs
Thai court jails Thaksin supporter for royal insult
| International
|
Chavez to fight U.S.-Colombia deal at Latam summit
| International
|
French official to talk iPhone troubles with Apple
Pakistan suicide blast kills at least 21
New website calculates risk of dying
Khamenei hails Iraq Shiite leader's battle against Saddam
Taiwan president seeks to save reputation after storm
| International
|
Facebook, under Canadian pressure, to tweak privacy
U.N. council extends Lebanon force with same mandate
Iran ayatollah: Opposition not stooges for West
Myanmar residents flee into China after new fighting
| International
|
U.S. hints at flexibility on Israeli settlement halt
| International
|
Swedish regulator to Pirate Bay suitor: where's the money?
French minister to meet Apple chief on 'exploding iPhones'
Microsoft cuts Xbox price by 25 percent
New Moldovan parliament meets after communists fail
| International
|
Latvia gets fresh IMF loan, challenges remain
| International
|
Japan opposition set for win, faces economic woes
NKoreans' quiet food aid trip to US
Thousands bid farewell at Kennedy coffin
Two Koreas near deal on reunions of split families
Kidnapped US woman kept 18 years in yard
Japan icon Nakamura ready to take on Spain
NASA readying shuttle Discovery for Friday launch
US asks China not to harm family of Uighur leader
In southern Afghan city, fears of Taliban takeover
U.S. warns Karzai on fraud, corruption, militia ties
After historic 1979 trip, NBA club returns to China
Calif. to shift largest juvenile prison to adults
Idaho GOP hopeful jokes about 'Obama Tags'
Ethnic group in Myanmar said to break cease-fire
Bernanke personal bank account struck by ID theft
China says must reduce emissions, but mentions no targets
Calif. man convicted of abusing son for 18 years
Suicide bomber kills 22 Pakistani border guards
Geologists assess Yosemite hotel rockfall risk
Japan's jobless rate hits record high
S.Korea c/a seen at peak, but to stay in surplus
Seoul shares up 0.9 pct; Hyundai Motor,Mobis rally
Boeing delays 787 Dreamliner delivery to late 2010
Japan: record jobless rate, deflation fears
S.Korean T-bonds slip on supply concerns, shares
Toyota moving NUMMI production to other plants
Jeremy Piven cleared in Broadway sushi dispute
Seoul shares open 0.85 pct higher helped by techs
SKorea's current account surplus shrinks in July
Bayreuth Wagner revival shines
Euro firms against dollar on recovery hopes
2 original Buena Vista members to tour Brazil
CORRECTED: Laura Linney to star in cancer comedy on TV
Black Eyed Peas, Miley Cyrus lead U.S. singles chart
Death Cab For Cutie scores lead "New Moon" single
Arbiter rules for Jeremy Piven in contract dispute
Linney set for offbeat comedy pilot about cancer
9/11 aims to become single largest day of service
Jeremy Piven cleared in Broadway sushi dispute
| Entertainment
|
TV pitchman Trudeau has FTC fine, ban thrown out
Spielberg takes on Crichton's Pirate Latitudes
| Entertainment
|
TV pitchman Trudeau has FTC fine, ban thrown out
| Entertainment
|
Death Cab For Cutie scores lead New Moon single
| Entertainment
|
Complaints of Afghan election fraud pour in
| International
|
Ahmadinejad demands opposition chiefs punished
Ahmadinejad demands opposition chiefs punished
NASA readying shuttle Discovery for Friday launch
China Unicom in deal for Apple's iPhone
Appetite spells three wolves' doom in Switzerland
Iran president wants opposition leaders punished
| International
|
The Beatles rock music invasion reborn in videogame
Saudi royal survives attack claimed by Qaeda
| International
|
US envoy in 'testy' election meeting with Karzai
Palestinians must unite for talks, UN chief says
| International
|
EXCLUSIVE: Berlusconi sues local, foreign media for libel
| International
|
Myanmar fighting forces up to 30,000 to flee to China
| International
|
Britain pledges $1 billion to help Pakistan
| International
|
Microsoft cuts Xbox price by 25 percent
| Technology
|
U.S. unveils new rules on border searches of laptops
| Technology
|
Australia defends 'discriminatory' Aboriginal plan
China Unicom in deal for Apple's iPhone
| Technology
|
In testing times, samurai craze sweeps Japan
Poll: Americans support Obama on energy issues
UN says 30,000 flee Myanmar amid fears of civil war
Lynching victim Till's casket to go to Smithsonian
Taiwan readies for Dalai Lama visit as China fumes
Stepdad: Girl held 18 years enjoys 'happy' reunion
Everything must go! Calif. holds giant garage sale
Thai woman jailed for 18 years over royal slur
Berlin wall post costs Vietnam blogger job: editor
Who needs a smoking gun? Here's the hot pants tape
N.Korea agrees to restart reunions, free fishermen
China urges US to end military surveillance at sea
Nixon dug deep for dirt on Ted Kennedy
More than 1,500 ordered to flee Calif. wildfires
Two Koreas agree on family reunions: statement
Taiwan media's warning on Dalai Lama visit
Taiwan dollar falls on importers, fund outflows
Toyota to end production at California plant
China to drop auto parts tariff: state media
Japanese auto production sinks in July
Court throws out FCC cable ownership limit
| Entertainment
|
Seoul shares rise; up 1.9 pct in August =2
First Chinese airline goes bankrupt: state media
Australia defends 'discriminatory' Aboriginal policy
Japan's jobless rate hits record ahead of election
Lithuania's bitter World War II legacy
Malaysia's PM says bold reforms vital for recovery
Seoul shares rise; end up 1.9 pct on August
Ramadan thunder keeps ritual alive in the Holy City
Powerful undersea quake strikes eastern Indonesia
Spielberg takes on Crichton's "Pirate Latitudes"
Japan auto production sinks in July
'Wizards of Waverly Place' transforms into movie
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights