New international development partner: Shinji Okazaki named club ambassador

Our former centre-forward is back at Mainz 05, although this time in a somewhat different role. Shinji Okazaki, who made 70 competitive appearances (29 goals) for FSV between 2013 and 2015 before moving to Leicester City where he celebrated a historic Premier League title win, has been announced as Mainz’s new club ambassador with a focus on the entire Asia region. In this role, he will support the club’s international development, particularly in the Japanese market.

Okazaki had already, even during the latter stages of his playing career, been involved in the development of FC Basara Mainz, which he co-founded in 2014 alongside Takashi ‘Taka’ Yamashita, now head coach of the Mainz 05 women’s team. He has long seen himself as an advocate for player development and a bridge-building figure between Japan and Germany, and specifically between Hyogo and Mainz.

Also in 2014, Okazaki established FC Basara Hyogo in his home prefecture in Japan. Together with its Mainz counterpart, and through close cooperation between the two, the club offers young Japanese footballers the opportunity to experience European football culture, in particular that of Mainz 05, as well as to get to know the structures of the club and its youth academy.

Christian Heidel, board member for sport at Mainz 05: “Shinji Okazaki has always maintained his connection to the city of Mainz and to Mainz 05, and has even continuously strengthened it through his commitment to Basara. We are very pleased to have secured his services as club ambassador and look forward to working together in the years ahead.”

Jochen Röttgermann, board member for sales and marketing: “Shinji always serves as such a positive presence both on and off the pitch with his open and engaging personality. As club ambassador in the context of our international work – particularly with a view to the target markets in Asia and Japan in particular – Shinji Okazaki is the perfect fit for this role. With his unquestionable expertise as a former top-class international striker, his focus on developing young Japanese talent, and his deep understanding of the different cultural spheres in Asia and Europe, this role is practically made for him. We are proud that it has all come together successfully.”

Shinji Okazaki: “Mainz 05 was and still is an important part of my footballing life. I was able to spend the best period of my Bundesliga career here, and I have always maintained a connection to the city and the club. I am therefore all the more delighted that I can now take on the role of club ambassador for Mainz 05 alongside my work as a coach and football executive, in order to further strengthen ties between Japan and Germany in youth football.”