Usami out for revenge in return to Bundesliga

OSAKA – Gamba Osaka forward Takashi Usami said Tuesday he is returning to the Bundesliga this summer with an agenda.

The 24-year-old spent two seasons, from the age of 19, in Germany but returned to Japan in 2013 with precious little to show for his efforts. At a news conference held at Gamba’s Suita Stadium, Usami talked about his upcoming move to German club Augsberg.

“First of all I want some payback,” said Usami, who scored twice in 23 games in his two seasons abroad. “I had this feeling of not wanting to leave things as they are.

“I want to prove the value of my accumulated effort and development here with Gamba.”

In his European debut season for powerhouse Bayern Munich, Usami played just three Bundesliga games. The following year, he netted twice in 20 league games for Hoffenheim.

“Last time I only went to gain experience,” he said. “This is a full transfer, my next step in life. To get jostled about in Europe and then perform well at the World Cup is perhaps the best scenario.”

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