Soccer-Dortmund's Kagawa joins Besiktas on loan

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Shinji Kagawa has joined Turkey's Besiktas on loan until the end of the season, the Bundesliga leaders said on Thursday. A Bundesliga winner with Dortmund in 2011 and 2012, the 29-year-old Japan international was originally signed for 350,000 euros ($400,540) from Cerezo Osaka in Japan's second division in 2010.

He had a two-year spell at Manchester United from 2012-14 before returning to the Ruhr valley club. He has struggled to secure playing time under coach Lucien Favre this season, making just four appearances in all competitions. His contract with Dortmund runs until to 2020.

"We have a lot of understanding for Shinji's situation and for his wish to play more at a different club," Dortmund sports director Michael Zorc said. "Shinji has this chance in Istanbul and we are happy to fulfil his wish."

($1 = 0.8738 euros) (Reporting by Karolos Grohmann Editing by Toby Davis)