Shimada - Finally - Leaves

Midfielder and J2 assist king Yusuke Shimada has left Ardija on a permanent basis. Having signed for Omiya back in 2000, he started to make an impact on the first team in 2003, but promotion to J1 saw the Saitama native take a backwards step to become a fringe player. The following year saw him loaned out to J2 minnows Thespa Kusatsu, where alongside fellow Squirrel Takahiro Takagi he became a local star, contributing nine goals and countless assists. 2007 turned out to be a wasted year under Robert Verbeek at Omiya and Shimada will have had little hesitation in accepting the offer of a return ticket back to Kusatsu for 2008. Nevertheless this was still only a loan deal, which was followed last year by a similar arrangement at Sagan Tosu. This time, however, it's for good and Shimada has departed Omiya for Shikoku and Tokushima Vortis.

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