Who are the greatest Asian players in Bundesliga history?

asian players bundesliga

For Asian players, making it big in Europe is always a path to superstardom back in their homelands. With Europe’s big clubs having large fan bases on the other side of the world, it is only natural for their biggest players to want to play here. Aside from England, many Asian players have ventured to the Bundesliga in Germany to get a taste of the action.

With passionate fans and a high skill level, it often provides them with the chance to become a big-name player in world football. In the past, players from all over Asia have not only played in the Bundesliga but been successful in their own right. So just who are the greatest Asian players in Bundesliga history?

 

Who are the greatest Asian players in Bundesliga history?

 

Yasuhiko Okudera (Koln, Hertha Berlin, Werder Bremen)

Japan has always been one of Asia’s biggest footballing nation but the world took notice when Yasuhiko Okudera moved to Cologne in 1977. Becoming the first Japanese player to feature in Europe, Okudera naturally slotted into a strong Koln side as his team won the Bundesliga in his first season with the club.

His strong all-round game and regular thirst for goals made him a regular in many Bundesliga title-contending teams and he would finish second in the league with both Werder Bremen in the 1980s. A versatile all-rounder, Okudera stayed in the Bundesliga for over a decade before leaving for Japan again 1986. A pioneer for many to follow

 

Cha Bum-Kun (Eintracht Frankfurt, Bayer Leverkusen)

Like Japan, South Korea has produced many gifted players and it would be Cha Bum-kun that paved a new path for his countrymen into Bundesliga. Moving to Germany in 1978, Cha briefly featured for Darmstadt before moving to Eintracht Frankfurt in 1979. It was here that the Korean powerhouse truly came of age scoring 12 goals in his debut season thanks to his determined nature and powerful shot.

It would be his trademark for much of the 1980s where he regularly hit double figures each season. His rich form earned a big-time move to Bayer Leverkusen where his form would peak with a best return of 17 goals in 34 games during the 1984/85 season. His consistency for goals earned him no less than 2 Bundesliga Team of the Year nominations during his 12-year stint in Germany. Furthermore, his 99 goals remained the best for a non-German player in the Bundesliga until he was overtaken in 1999. Unquestionably one of the finest Asian players in Bundlesiga history.

 

Mehdi Mahdavikia (Bochum, Hamburg, Eintracht Frankfurt)

Germany has been a popular destination for many Iranian footballers but few have enjoyed the same level of success as Mehdi Mahdavikia. Capable of playing anywhere on the right side of the pitch, Mahdavikia had pace, skill and craft all in a tight little bundle. Having impressed with Bochum in the 1998/99 season, he joined Hamburger in 1999 starting an 8-year spell with the club.

During this time, he was a star with HSV helping regularly finish in the top five. His best from came in the 2002/03 season topping the league with assists making 14 goals that season. As HSV struggled for form, Mahdavikia moved to Eintracht Frankfurt for three season with little fanfare before leaving for Iran again in 2010. Having been named twice as Hamburg Player of the Year as well as in their all-time Bundesliga squad, Mahdavikia remains one of the best players to ever succeed outside of Iran.

 

Shinji Kagawa (Borussia Dortmund)

Over two spells, Shinji Kagawa fashioned a tremendous relationship with Borussia Dortmund fans as he became a key part of a side that always challenged for Bundesliga titles. With amazing footwork and skills, the Japanese playmaker could unlock defences with either a simple pass or a surging run. In his first spell from 2010-2012, became a superstar and his 13 goals in 31 games in the 2011/12 season helped Dortmund defend and win the Bundesliga title they had won the year previously.

In both these seasons, Kagawa shone and was named in consecutive Bundesliga Team of the Seasons making him an automatic pick as one of the best Asian players to feature in the competition’s history. After an ill-fated time in England with Manchester United, Kagawa returned to Dortmund and shone once again helping his side reach Champions League side once again. His 9 goals in the 2015/2016 earn his third Bundesliga Team of the Season award and would be his best season in the second stint in Germany.

After several more seasons at the club, Kagawa left Dortmund to play in Turkey with Besiktas drawing a line for the most successful Japanese player in Bundesliga history.

 

Son Heung-Min (Hamburg, Bayer Leverkusen)

Before Son Heung-Min became the attacking extraordinaire in England, the Korean winger honed his craft in the Bundesliga. Coming through the ranks with Hamburg, his excellent dribbling and thirst for goal made him difficult for defences to handle. A 12 goal season with Hamburg in the 2012/13 season caught the eye of Bayer Leverkusen who quickly signed him that summer.

After that, Son became one of the best wingers in the league scoring regularly and notching up double figure tallies each season with Leverkusen. His consistent attacking presence and form earned him Best Footballer in Asia in both 2014 and 2015 – a trophy he would continue to win after moving to England. In 2016, Son moved to England with Tottenham Hotspur drawing a line on his career in Germany and showing how Asian players were now regularly making an impact in one of Europe’s strongest leagues.

 


 

You could earn up to £10 (or currency equivalent) in bonus funds by joining Colossus with our New Player Bonus. Click here to join the action.

The post Who are the greatest Asian players in Bundesliga history? appeared first on Colossus Blog.

Source: https://www.colossusbets.com/blog/who-are-the-greatest-asian-players-in-bundesliga-history/

Time Stamp:

More from Colossus