Former Barcelona star and legend, Andres Iniesta has signed for a Japanese football side, Vissel Kobe. The Spaniard was unveiled earlier today by the club President, as he look to continue his playing career in Asia.
Though not the choice destination most football pundits and fans alike were expecting the midfield maestro to retire to, after calling to an end his 22years career with Barcelona. This is because there were the big clubs from China and the United States who were ready to land the star and were ready to break the bank.
But given the project of Barcelona in Asia and their sponsorship deal with Rakuten, Iniesta acting as an Ambassador to Barcelona opted for Vissel Kobe which is also a club in Japan managed by Rakuten.
How competitive the Japanese football league is compared to others, is not really an issue here, given that Andres Iniesta himself is already in that age where he is looking to retire in active football. Japan is also not that a bad league or country to settled and retire.
Also, he could end up becoming a coach in the Japanese league, as the Japanese League just like the Chinese super league, is trying to expose their league to the world, by bringing in more foreign players. See more photos from his unveiling:
