Koki Ogawa, a 29-year-old Japanese striker, is leaving NEC to join Machida Zelvia, the current leaders of the J1 League. It is reported that he will earn the highest salary ever for a Japanese player in that competition, though the exact salary and transfer fee are not being disclosed. Before this move, Ogawa had considered options in Europe and FC Midtjylland from Denmark was a concrete possibility, but the player decided a return to the J-League was the best option for him. At NEC, Bryan Linssen and Kaj Sierhuis were preferred over the Japanese international last season. The transfer is expected to be officially announced within one or two days. Ogawa has 18 caps and 11 goals for Japan. He joined NEC in July 2024 and his contract runs until June 2027. Transfermarkt estimates his current market value to be €2.00m.