IN SPORT.ES
Andres Iniesta, former Barcelona captain, was presented at 9.30am Spanish time on Thursday as a new Vissel Kobe player in Japan. The club is owned by Hiroshi Mikitani, president of the Rakuten group, who are Barcelona's main sponsors, and he is a friend of Gerard Pique.
After arriving in Japan in the morning, together with Mikitani, in a private jet, Iniesta's presence created a lot of excitement.
Iniesta said: "The project that Vissel Kobe presented me was the most interesting. Japan is a great country. I would like to start working now and I hope I like being in Japan."
Mikitani said, of Iniesta's arrival: "He's one of the most respected players in the world. Iniesta will have a big impact on us."