Post script. After an unsuccessful season in Spain, will try his luck in England's premier league, joining newly promoted Bolton Wanderers.

17.06. Returned to Spain to be told by Flores that his services will not be required for next season. However as no interpreter was available the player said he did not understand what Flores had said to him. Non playing substitute in the last match at Villarreal.

10.06. Playing for Japan in the Confederation cup, and scored a goal in the preliminary round against Canada. His performance has attracted the interest of French clubs after Espanyol manager Paco Flores intimated that he will not be kept on for next season.

20.05. Left out of the squad again, and with Benítez now back, unlikely to be included again before the end of the season.

13.05. Played for the second half in the Cataluña cup semi-final against third division Balaguer midweek as Flores gave him a chance to prove himself. However Espanyol lost embarrassingly 1-0 and Nishizawa was one of the players who the manager blamed for the defeat and left behind for the weekend match against Real Madrid.

06.05. Non playing substitute.

29.04. Came on for Japan for the last ten minutes of their friendly match against Spain in Córdoba. Hardly intervened in the few minutes he was on the pitch. Given a chance at the weekend for the match against Deportivo, coming on for the last half hour for Serrano, but made little impact. Manager Paco Flores will continue next season, and he has told Aki that he has a month to prove himself before the club decides whether to keep him on or not. Player appears to be going through a low period at the moment.

22.04. Still not included in the 18 man squad for the game against Racing. Picked to play though for Japan against Spain in the midweek friendly match next week.

15.04. Has not been included in the squad recently, despite an injury to Oscar and the suspension of Posse. His manager Paco Flores has talked to him as he feels that his form has dropped off and he is not trying any more. Nishizawa denies it, and says nothing is wrong.

01.04. Was in the squad for the game this weekend against Valencia, but was eventually left out of the final 18 man line up, having to watch the game from the stands.

25.03. With no league matches this weekend, he went off to play for Japan in a friendly match against France in Paris. However they lost against the World and European champions 5-0.

25.03. With no league matches this weekend, he went off to play for Japan in a friendly match against France in Paris. However they lost against the World and European champions 5-0.

18.03. Non playing substitute in the league game at home to Valladolid, where they recorded their first win in a month. Picked to play for Japan against France next weekend.

11.03. Lost his place to Serrano as Paco Flores changed his formation to a 3-5-2. Came on though for the last ten minutes with the score at 2-2, but had little time to do anything.

04.03. With Martín Posse injured he kept his place in the side to start for the first time in the Montjuic stadium against Alavés. Followed by a horde of Japanese journalists, with interest in Japan renewed as he is playing again. Had a couple of chances, with Herrera saving one chance and Téllez clearing another effort off the line. However replaced by Oscar at half time.

25.02. Came in for his first start for his new club at Rayo Vallecano. Impressed his manager for the time he was on the field, but was left alone up front when Tamudo was sent off and was eventually replaced by Martín Posse on the hour mark.

18.02. Non playing substitute against Real Sociedad.

11.02. Came on for Tamudo in the last minutes of the cup quarter final at the Nou Camp and appeared to have scored the goal to equalise the tie. However it was ruled out by the referee as Toledo was offside when he headed the ball back. Espanyol were eliminated from the cup. On the subs bench again against Celta, but didn't get a chance to come on.

04.02. Missed the first leg of the cup quarter final with gastric enteritis. Back on the substitutes' bench for the league match at Osasuna, but didn't come on.

11.02. Came on for Tamudo in the last minutes of the cup quarter final at the Nou Camp and appeared to have scored the goal to equalise the tie. However it was ruled out by the referee as Toledo was offside when he headed the ball back. Espanyol were eliminated from the cup. On the subs bench again against Celta, but didn't get a chance to come on.

04.02. Missed the first leg of the cup quarter final with gastric enteritis. Back on the substitutes' bench for the league match at Osasuna, but didn't come on.

28.01. Came back into the squad as substitute, making an appearance for the last fifteen minutes in the 5-0 victory over Zaragoza. Japan's manager Philippe Troussier was in the crowd checking on his form.

21.01. Started the cup match against Extremadura, playing in attack alongside Tamudo. Again showed some good touches, but didn't score and was substituted by Posse early in the second half. Surprised everyone wearing Espanyol's blue and white gloves, as it was not really a cold night, and the referee made him cover up his earring with white tape. Apparently did enough to convince his manager that he stays, although still two weeks to go before the final decision will be made. The match was televised live to Japan at 05:00 in the morning their time. Picked up a light injury and was not fit for the match at the weekend.

14.01. Was called into the squad for the league game against Las Palmas and eventually came on for the last seventeen minutes. Showed some good touches, but miskicked a cross from the right after a good run and fell over, which appeared on all the television round ups. He got up smiling though, which everyone appreciated. The Spanish press are keen to see how he does after the brief success of Shoji Jo before he got injured, and are surprised he is attracting so much interest from Japanese reporters and fans. Up to 40 press reporters surround him, and the club shop is getting many visits from Japanese tourists who want to buy his shirt. Will probably now stay at the club.

07.01. According to manager Paco Flores, Nishizawa has been working hard on his fitness and has improved a lot. He may be included in the squad for upcoming games, possibly in the cup, and be given a few minutes to show what he can do in a game. Flores says that he could now be kept on for the rest of the season, although he has not yet made the final decision. The possible signing of Lardín could still leave him without a place, although the club say they must sell first (Rotchen or Manel) before Lardín can join as they are not in great shape financially, having bought players in the summer and not sold anyone. Nishizawa on the other hand could bring valuable sponsorship, which must be another consideration.

24.12. Espanyol have given him another month to prove himself, and no decision will be made until near the end of January. Although manager Paco Flores is still not sure whether he is good enough to make the team, the club is expected to receive some interesting offers from sponsors if he stays, and that could also influence the decision. Other offers have apparently been received, including from Arsenal.

17.12. Although the transfer period is now open, he has not been registered in the squad as yet. He was injured soon after arriving and has little opportunity to prove himself, although he seems to be integrating well in the group despite speaking very little Spanish. However manager Paco Flores says he is not convinced and could loan him out to a second division club to the end of the season. The player will also have to prove his fitness, as he is well behind the rest of the squad in training.

30.11. Due to fly into Barcelona tonight.