Ex-Barça midfielder Sergi Samper presented by Vissel Kobe
Samper's move to Japan after having his contract with Barcelona rescinded this week
Catalan midfielder Sergi Samper says he wants to play for new side Vissel Kobe "like I did for FC Barcelona" and spoke about the importance of Andres Iniesta in his move to Japan.
Samper was presented in Tokyo ahead of moving to Kobe in the west of Japan, where, as well as Iniesta, he will link up with forward David Villa and coach Juan Manuel Lillo.
The 24-year-old thanks Vissel Kone for the confidence shown in him "from the first moment" and said he wanted "to play a fundamental role in a solid project."
On Iniesta, he said: "Andres called me, told me things about the city, the club and told me that I would be comfortable. [Vissel Kobe] want to play like Barça so I won't have problems adapating."
After a career hampered by injuries, Samper now wants to "develop his full potential" and play "one-touch football alongside Iniesta in midfield."
Samper also said that Japanese football is "very technical" and that the Japanese league "is growing a lot." He will wear the No.6 shirt.
セルジ サンペール選手の背番号は6に決定‼️🇪🇸
— ヴィッセル神戸 (@visselkobe) 7 de marzo de 2019
本日、記者会見を行いました🎤👏@SergiSamper will wear the number 6 for #visselkobe#vissel #WeAreKobe pic.twitter.com/5nwXU4WOHG
