Mitch Langerak has confirmed he will leave Nagoya Grampus at the end of the J1 League season amid speculation over a return to the A-Leagues.
Langerak announced the decision over his future on Tuesday following seven record-breaking seasons with Nagoya in Japan’s top flight.
The Socceroo and former Borussia Dortmund goalkeeper will leave as Nagoya’s most-capped foreign player, while he twice broke the J1 League’s clean sheet record since arriving in 2018.
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Langerak, who was named captain this season, is also the first Australian and only the 13th non-Japanese player to reach 200 top-flight league matches in Japan.
“I have had the great pleasure of spending seven seasons with this wonderful club, Nagoya Grampus,” said the 35-year-old.
“With so many beautiful memories in my heart, it is time for me to take a new step in Australia.
“I am truly grateful to the club and the Grampus family for giving me such a wonderful experience. This club is truly special.
“I believe that once you become part of a club, your love for the club is eternal. As long as I can wear this uniform, I will continue to fight with you all until the end of the season.”
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Before Langerak arrived, Nagoya had not claimed silverware since 2011 (Japanese Super Cup).
But with the Australian on board, they ended their drought by winning their first Levain Cup in 2021.
“I would like to express my deepest respect and gratitude to Mr .Langerak for all his great achievements thus far,” said General Manager Motohiro Yamaguchi.
“… In the 2021 season, he achieved the feat of going 823 minutes without conceding a goal, breaking the J1 record for consecutive clean sheets for the first time in 28 years. In addition, this season he set a league record with 21 clean sheets in league matches, and his ironclad defence contributed greatly to the club’s first Levain Cup title.
“Last season, he played 185 games for Nagoya Grampus, surpassing (Dragan) Stojkovic, who had previously held the record for most appearances by a foreign player at the club, and became the most appearances ever by a foreign player at the club, deeply engraving his name in the history of Nagoya Grampus.
“As captain this season, he has embodied the spirit of “Never give up,” which is also the club’s philosophy, and has led the team to this point.
“Although we are very disappointed that we will not be able to compete together next season, we respect the decision of Langerak and his family.
“This will be Langerak’s last season in a Nagoya Grampus uniform, but the relationship Langerak has built with the club over the years will by no means end. I hope Langerak the great relationship between the club and Langerak will continue, and that he will have a happy life in the future.”
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An eight-time Australia international, Langerak has not played club football in his homeland since Dortmund prised him from Melbourne Victory in 2010.
The A-Leagues graduate “absolutely” wants to return Down Under before retiring.
“That is something I want to do. I want to come back in play in the A-League no question. When that is, I don’t know,” he said in the November interview.
“But absolutely, that is something on my horizon and something I do think about and do plan towards.”
