The Western Sydney Wanderers have confirmed marquee man Shinji Ono will leave the A-League club at season’s end to return to Japan.

The popular playmaker will remain at the Wanderers until the end of the Asian Champions League group and round-of-16 stages and A-League finals series, before linking up with second-tier Japanese outfit Consadole Sapporo in June.

The club said the 34-year-old, who moved to Australia in 2012 as their inaugural marquee player, had expressed his desire to be closer to his wife and two young children who still live in Japan.

Wanderers chairman Lyall Gorman said Ono would forever be remembered in the club’s folklore.

“He will always be a part of the Wanderers’ family and story as history records it over time,” Gorman said in a statement on Thursday.

“We wish him every success in his return to his homeland and thank him for his incredible contribution to our club’s birth and journey thus far.”

Ono has scored nine goals in 39 appearances for the Wanderers.