Spanish second-division side Malaga said Tuesday it has canceled its contract with Shinji Okazaki just a little over a month after the Japanese forward joined the club.
The team announced a one-year deal with Okazaki on July 30 but was unable to register the striker because his wage demands meant the struggling club would exceed its maximum budget spend as permitted by the league.
The parties had an agreement to scrap Okazaki's contract and allow him to sign with another team if the financial issue could not be resolved by the league's summer transfer deadline on Monday.
Malaga offered thanks to Okazaki "for his commitment shown during this time and wishes him the best of luck for the future."
(Shinji Okazaki looks on during a pre-season friendly match between Malaga and Mallorca) [Quality Sport Images/Getty/Kyodo]
According to sources close to the matter, Okazaki is expected to join another Spanish second-division side Huesca. He had yet to make a league appearance for Malaga.
Okazaki was a member of the Leicester City side that won the 2015-2016 English Premier League title but sought a move elsewhere in Europe after struggling to win playing time last season.
The 33-year-old left Shimizu S-Pulse in the J-League after the 2010 season and had stints with Stuttgart and Mainz in the German first division before joining Leicester at the start of their premiership-winning campaign.
Okazaki was a member of Japan's last three World Cup squads and has scored 50 goals in 119 internationals for the Samurai Blue.
