Koki Ogawa, 29, has been dealing with competition for a spot in the NEC team. Voetbalzone reports that Ogawa will reportedly become the highest-paid Japanese player in the J1-League. Ogawa's experience playing in Japan for Júbilo Iwata and Yokohama FC will likely serve him well in his new role at Machida Zelvia.
Ogawa's time at NEC has been marked by his impressive goal-scoring record, particularly during his stint at Yokohama FC in 2022, where he scored 26 goals in 41 matches. He signed a loan deal with NEC in 2022, which was later made permanent. Ogawa's departure from NEC will likely have a significant impact on the team's attacking lineup, but his move to Machida Zelvia is a significant step forward in his career.
Machida Zelvia's interest in Ogawa is not surprising, given their ambition to invest in top talent. The club has been playing at the highest level in Japan since 2023 and is looking to strengthen its squad.