Official: Iniesta signs for Vissel Kobe in Japan
After much speculation, the post-Barça era for Spanish midfielder Andrés Iniesta is to begin in Japan, where he'll join up with Germany's Lukas Podolski.
Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has signed with Japanese side Vissel Kobe, kicking off a new chapter in his career after a storied 16 years with Barcelona, the J.League club said on Thursday.
Iniesta future decided
The 34-year-old former Barcelona captain, who had spent his entire career with the Spanish giants, was introduced at a news conference in Tokyo by Kobe owner Hiroshi Mikitani.
ようこそイニエスタ！
— ヴィッセル神戸 (@visselkobe) May 24, 2018
Bienvenido Iniesta!
Welcome Iniesta!
Willkommen Iniesta!
Iniesta seja bem vindo!
ยินดีต้อนรับอิเนียสต้า!
잘오셨어요 이니에스타 !https://t.co/fXn41SrydR#vissel #BienvenidoIniesta #iniesta #WeAreKobe @andresiniesta8 pic.twitter.com/ok1mettKqj
Ahead of the official announcement, Iniesta had posted on Instagram a photo of himself and Mikitani with a message that he was "heading to my new home".
Mikitani is also the head of Barca's main sponsor Rakuten.