1989: Born March 17 in Kobe, Japan.
2006: Joins first professional team, Cerezo Osaka, while still a teenager and is selected to represent his country at Under 17 level.
2007: Represents Japan at the FIFA Under-20s World Cup in Canada after an impressive season in which he plays 35 games in J.League Division 2.
2008: Handed his Japan debut in a Kirin Cup match against Ivory Coast. Also represents his country in the Beijing Olympics.
2009: Breaks several records in the league, including becoming the highest goalscorer in J.League Division 2, as Osaka are promoted to the top flight.
2010: Scores seven goals in 11 appearances in the J.League, leading Borussia Dortmund to pay 350,000 (£283,371) for his services, but misses out on a place in Japan's World Cup squad for the tournament in South Africa, where they fall well below expectation.
2011: Helps Japan win the Asian Cup, although does not play in the final as a superb tournament is ended by a metatarsal injury in the semis.
Ends the 2010/11 season with an eight-goal haul for Dortmund, who win their first Bundesliga title in nine years, pipping favourites Bayern Munich.
2012: Helps Dortmund to a domestic league and cup double.
June 5 - Manchester United announce they have reached agreement with Dortmund to sign Kagawa.His value has risen £16.7m in just two years.