Iniesta arrives in Japan to join Vissel Kobe

Spanish midfielder Andres Iniesta on Wednesday joined his new team, Japan's Vissel Kobe, for a new football season after participating in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Iniesta, who was officially presented in Kobe on May 26 after announcing earlier in the same month his decision to join the Japanese team, arrived in Osaka on Wednesday, reports Efe.

The Spaniard was welcomed by dozens of Vissel Kobe fans at the airport, and signed some autographs for them as he left the terminal, according to images released by the club.

Iniesta said upon arriving that he was waiting to come to Japan and wanted to play as soon as possible, according to Vissel Kobe.

The club did not specify in an interview with Efe when Iniesta, a former Barcelona FC player, will debut in the field, but noted that he will play once he's ready.

The first training session of Iniesta with Vissel Kobe is scheduled for July 20. The Spanish footballer will also appear in a press conference on July 25 in Noevia Stadium, where he was first introduced on May 26.

The addition of Iniesta to Vissel Kobe came three days after another Spanish player Fernando Torres was also introduced in Tokyo after signing for Japanese club Sagan Tosu.

--IANS

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