Iniesta's Vissel Kobe move confirmed

Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta's move to J.League club Vissel Kobe was confirmed on Thursday at a specially arranged news conference in Tokyo.

Iniesta, 34, played his final game for Barcelona in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad, leaving La Liga's champions after 16 trophy-laden seasons.

The star playmaker was heavily linked with a move to the Chinese Super League – Chongqing Lifan were widely viewed as the frontrunners - and Australia was also mooted as a possible destination.

But Vissel Kobe, whose club chairman Hiroshi Mikitani is also the chief executive of Japanese electronics company and Barcelona shirt sponsor Rakuten, have got their man. Mikitani has said that the Spaniard can be a "terrific inspiration for Japanese football society” and help Vissel Kobe complete their goal of becoming "the number one club in Asia”.

The Spaniard was unveiled at a press conference, where he signed his contract in front of the media, before saying his first words as a Vissel player.

"It's a special day for me," he said. "This is a big opportunity for me in my sporting career."

"I have a lot of respect for Japanese football. I will have to take on new challenges and climb new steps at this club."

"I will have to get to know my new teammates and and my new club. My family and I are very excited by this project."

"I received various offers from other clubs, but I decided on Vissel Kobe because the project that was presented to me seemed very interesting. Japan is a marvellous country, as is its culture. I am looking forward to life in Japan."

 

May 24, 2018