Rodgers Salutes Outgoing Okazaki

Shinji Okazaki will leave Leicester at the end of the season and Brendan Rodgers has been quick to praise the Premier League winner.

Japan international Okazaki’s contract at the King Power Stadium is due to expire at the end of the season and he signalled his intent earlier this week to leave the club, as he wishes to play more regular first-team football in his preferred position as a central striker.

The 33-year-old will leave the Foxes on good terms having played a major role in their unprecedented title success of 2016, featuring 36 times that season as he proved the perfect foil for Jamie Vardy in the final third.

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However, Okazaki has gradually seen his game-time diminish since that success and he has only started one Premier League match this season. Despite his lack of involvement, Rodgers still feels the former Mainz star will leave as a club legend and he will be a player that always holds a special place in the hearts of Leicester supporters. “He leaves a champion, as a legend in the club’s history,” Rodgers told reporters ahead of Leicester’s trip to the Etihad Stadium to take on Manchester City on Monday.

“I have spoken to him and at this stage of his career he was wanting to have an opportunity to maybe play in Europe somewhere, with the opportunity to play as a striker. “But his contribution at this club has been immense. He played a part in the great history here at Leicester City.”