Naka's away

Shunsuke Nakamura snubs mega-bucks move to Saudi Arabia and will return to Japan - The Sunday Mail

SHUNSUKE NAKAMURA will quit Celtic at the end of the season to return to Japan.
The influential midfielder seriously considered staying at Parkhead for one more season but after much soul-searching he has now ruled that out.
For family reasons he will sever his ties with the Hoops after four years with Gordon Strachan's side. Mailsport can also reveal the player last week knocked back the chance to move to top Saudi Arabian side Al-Nassr.
Naka's representatives were approached by a third party on behalf of Al-Nassr. A megabucks deal was put to them. It is understood Nakamura could have earned around £1.5million per year tax-free to sign a two-year contract with the Saudi side.
But they politely declined the offer, saying the player was not interested and that he has made up his mind to go back to Japan.
Naka is likely to sign for Yokohama Marinos, although the deal has still to be finalised due to financial difficulties at that club.
He will earn only a fraction of the £30,000 per week he would have got in the Middle East. But money is not his motivation.
After seven years in Europe he feels the time is right to move home and end his career in the J-League.

 

Good luck to him, he's been a total professional & without him, celtic would've been alot like any other spl side with no flair, glad he snubed saudi team al nasrr to return home with his family. Think he himself knows he'll never play for a team such as celtic again!

 

Yep, he's given his all for us and made an invaluable contribution to our achievements in his time here. And the fact he's making a move for family and not taking money into consideration? The mark of a real man. It's no real surprise that he's going, although I found it hard not to silently wish for one more season out of himi. And I'm sure we'll see a few more Naka-esque moves by the end of the season!

 

beat me to the punch there mate lol.

yeah sad to here this news going to be a big miss when he leaves and we will need to bring in someone to replace him with the same or better quality!

either way i want to wish naka and the naka family all the best in the world and i hope he enjoys himself in the j-league and also i hope he takes back great memories of celtic fc .

 

Been a brilliant servant to the club :icon_mrgreen: love to see a footballer who isn't motivated by money .

Will be a huge miss and hard to replace

 

Bye bye Naka.
Hope you have taught koki how to hit a freek kick.

 

well miss him alot

 

Ah... All good things must come to an end... 4 seasons of joy and success. His contribution to the quality of our game has been enormous. His game is one of the key factors why we differ from Rangers. Undoubtedly Strachan's best signing, and the corner-stone of his game. A top-class footballer and a model professional, he will be remembered for many good things. The goals to Manchester, a screamer against the Huns, all other passes and goals which helped us win the title. Thanks to him, we've got new fans over many seas, distant physically from CP, but not less addicted to Celtic. Another Japanese has taken his steps, coming here. It is shame that the 2 only had one game to play together, but so decided the destiny. May he extend the fame of his countryman who brought us great joy and many triumphs.
Shunsuke, know that your Celtic will support you, even in Japan. Your magnificent performances will be remembered in many years to come.

Shunsuke-san, anata no shuppatsu kara, CP wa kanashii, demo, watashi-tachi wa itsumademo anata wo omoidashimasu. Domo arigatou, Naka-san. Sayonara.
Translation:Shunsuke-san, because of your departure, CP is sad, but, we will always remember you. Thank you very much, Naka-san. Goodbye.

 

he's no deed!

 

I know, but he's leaving. And you've got to be heartbroken when somebody like him is leaving... I'll try to prevent myself from crying...

 

At least I'll get to see him in action one more time when Japan come to Melbourne for the WC qualifiers in June. Naka vs Skippy! Oh yes.

 

Lucky you, man. Well, maybe, there will be a stream somewhere... He's brill. Told the Saudis no, that's a decent man.

 

Wouldn't be too suprsied or upset, he has served us well. Good luck to him.

 

he'll be missed, good luck to him, whenever i think of him i will have nothing but great memories

 

it wont be the same anticipation when we get a freekick in naka range

gd luck to ya naka , you will be missed son

 

Is there anything from Naka himself in this article or even his representatives?

 

Taking this with a pinch of salt.

Seems to be a slow news day and they've regurgated a story we already know about.

I think we may get another season out of him but i'm not exactly staking my life on it or anything.

 

We will miss him, but good luck to him !