Andrés Iniesta has signed for the Japanese side Vissel Kobe
Andrés Iniesta has signed for the Japanese side Vissel Kobe after bringing down the curtain on his brilliant Barcelona career.
The 34-year-old midfielder appeared before a packed news conference at a central Tokyo hotel on Thursday along with Kobe’s billionaire owner, Hiroshi Mikitani.
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“I’m pleased to announce,” Mikitani said, “that Andrés Iniesta will be signing up play with Vissel Kobe after his historic career at Barcelona.”
Iniesta signed his contract as Mikitani watched, and then spoke through an interpreter. Terms of the contract were not disclosed but Japanese media are reporting he will earn $30m (£22.5m) annually on a three-year deal.
“For me this is a very special day,” the Spaniard said. “This is an important challenge for me. My family is excited to come to Japan and we are very pleased. There were many offers. Other clubs showed interest. But I decided to sign with Vissel Kobe because the project presented to me was impressive.”
Mikitani is also the CEO of the Barcelona sponsor Rakuten, a Japanese online retailer.
Iniesta held up the team’s red shirt with his famous No 8 on the back and his name written across the bottom. The Spaniard is expected to retire from international football after this summer’s World Cup.
Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final. He also was a key part of Spain’s two European Championship wins, in 2008 and 2012.
He announced last month he would leave Barcelona after 16 seasons. His last match for the Spanish club was on Sunday against Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.
Vissel Kobe are sixth in the J-League after 15 games. They signed Lukas Podolski last year but the German striker is out until the end of June with an injured calf.
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Mikitani is also the CEO of Barcelona's main sponsor Rakuten, a Japanese online retailer.
He added: '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 Barcelona as captain and last year he was the first player to sign a lifetime contract with the club.
'Iniesta will raise the profile of Japanese football globally and we are working on activities to leverage his presence here and promote the J League worldwide. I am very proud to see this day come.
'We will do everything in our power to support Iniesta during his time in Japan and show us all his beautiful, inspiring play.'
Iniesta had said he would probably retire from international football after the World Cup in Russia.
The 34-year-old scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final. He also was a key part of two European Championship triumphs in 2008 and 2012.
He announced last month he would leave Barcelona after 16 seasons. His last match for them was on Sunday against Real Sociedad at the Nou Camp.
His new J-League team is sixth after 15 games and signed Lukas Podolski last year, but the German striker is out until the end of June with an injured calf.
iniesta winning trophies from barcelona
🏆 European footballer of the year🏆 World Cup
🏆🏆 European Champion
🏆🏆🏆🏆 Champions League
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 LaLiga
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Copa del Rey
🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 Supercopa
🏆🏆🏆 UEFA Supercup
🏆🏆🏆 FIFA Club World Cup
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