Andres Iniesta: This is a new challenge in my career
The former Barcelona captain was presented as a Vissel Kobe player on Thursday
Andres Iniesta is now wearing the colours of his new team, Vissel Kobe in Japan. He was presented on Tokyo on Thursday after 22 years at Barca.
"This is a wonderful country and their culture is too. I would like to enjoy my life in Japan. We hope, my family and I, to adapt quickly and learn Japanese culture," said Iniesta.
He said that he had "various offers", "But I decided to join Vissel Kobe because the project they presented me with seemed the most interesting and they showed their confidence in me."
"KonNichiwa"
Iniesta started by saying "konnichiwa" (good afternoon in Japanese) and finished with "arigatou" (thank you), and was accompanied by Hiroshi Mikitani, the founder of Rakuten and owner Vissel Kobe.
"It's an important day for me, a challenge in my career. I believe in this project and I am coming here to play and work with my team-mates," added Iniesta. "I'm looking forward to starting with them."
PRAISE FROM Mikitani
Mikitani insisted that "Iniesta is a top player, he scored the goal that won Spain the World Cup in South Africa. His arrival will be an inspiration for Vissel Kobe and Japanese football.
"He's the most respected player in the world, he will have a deep impact on the development of Japanese football."
