Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has been anounced as the latest signing for Japanese side Vissel Kobe, after leaving Barcelona following an illustrious career at Camp Nou.
The 34-year-old left the Catalan side this week after clinching his ninth LaLiga title with the club.
Iniesta was a World Cup winner with Spain in 2010, and captained Barcelona during his final three seasons with the club.
Vissel Kobe, coached by Takayuki Yoshida, currently hold sixth position in the Japanese top flight, with 15 games of the season gone.
The club are already 15 points behind the runaway leaders, but anyone that fancies backing them to come good after the arrival of Iniesta should use a comeon free bet to do so.
Vissel Kobe chairman Hiroshi Mikitani told reporters at a press conference: “I am pleased to announce that Andres Iniesta will be signing up to play for Vissel Kobe after his historic career at FC Barcelona.
“Iniesta is a top global player. Many of us will recall Iniesta’s astounding goal in the final of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa that brought Spain its first title in the tournament.
“Since 2015, Iniesta has also led FC Barcelona as captain and last year he was the first player to sign a lifetime contract with the club.”
Mikitani added: “I am confident Iniesta’s philosophy, leadership and DNA will be a terrific inspiration, not only for Vissel Kobe but all Japanese football society.
“We look forward to Andres Iniesta not only strengthening the team’s performance but also contributing to the development of the next generation of players through the introduction of the Iniesta methodology to the youth academy.
“We believe his decision to come to Japan will have a major impact, not just on Vissel Kobe, but on football in Japan and Asia.”
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