Poorly kept secret: Iniesta joins Japanese club Vissel Kobe

Former Barcelona player Andres Iniesta, right, holds his new uniform with Hiroshi Mikitani, left, owner of Vissel Kobe, during a press conference to join Japan’s Vissel Kobe in Tokyo Thursday, May 24, 2018. Iniesta was introduced as the newest member of Japanese club Vissel Kobe on Thursday. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

TOKYO — Andres Iniesta is, finally, a member of Japanese club Vissel Kobe.

The former Barcelona great appeared at a packed news conference at a central Tokyo hotel on Thursday along with billionaire Kobe owner Hiroshi Mikitani.

It was hardly a surprise. Iniesta tweeted a photo of himself and Mikitani on his new boss’ private jet as the two flew to Tokyo for an announcement that had been expected for weeks.

“I’m pleased to announce that Andres Iniesta will be signing up to play with Vissel Kobe after his historic career at Barcelona,” Mikitani said. “We look forward to Iniesta not only contributing to the team but helping in the development of young players.”

Iniesta signed his contract as Mikitani watched, and then spoke through an interpreter.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Japanese media are reporting he will earn $30 million annually on a three-year deal.

“For me this is a very special day,” the Spaniard said. “This is an important challenge for me. My family is excited to come to Japan and we are very pleased. There were many offers. Other clubs showed interest. But I decided to sign with Vissel Kobe because the project presented to me was impressive.”

Mikitani is also the CEO of Barcelona sponsor Rakuten, a Japanese online retailer.

Iniesta held up the team’s red shirt with his famous No. 8 on the back, and his name written across the bottom.

Iniesta previously had said he would probably retire from international soccer after Spain plays at this year’s World Cup in Russia.

The 34-year-old Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final. He also was a key part of Spain’s two European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

He announced last month he would leave Barcelona after 16 seasons. His last match for the Spanish club was on Sunday against Real Sociedad at Camp Nou.

Vissel Kobe is in sixth place after 15 games in the J-League. It signed Lukas Podolski last year, but the German striker is out until the end of June with an injured calf.

Having a player of Iniesta’s stature will help raise the profile of the J-League as it competes with the Chinese league in the lucrative Asian market.

“I’d like to make a forward step with the club and also help the J-League spread in Asia,” Iniesta said. “I’m looking forward to playing with my teammates. This is a country I really love and I want to immerse myself in the culture.”