The FFA has welcomed the arrival of footballing icon Keisuke Honda to the A League.
Honda has officially joined Melbourne Victory as a marquee player for the 2018/19 season from Mexican side Pachuca.
During his career Honda has won 98 caps for Japan, having been part of World Cup squads in 2010, 2014 and in this year’s World Cup in Russia. Honda scored in the second group game against Senegal to stake his claim as the highest scoring Asian player in World Cup history as the midfielder announced his international retirement following Japan’s last 16 exit.
David Gallop, FFA CEO, prised Victory for completing the deal calling Honda’s arrival “a significant boon,” for the coming season.
“To have a player of his experience, calibre and marketability will boost the Hyundai A-League’s image and reputation within the Asian region around the world,” Gallop said.
Honda spent the majority of his career in Europe with a successful stint at CSKA Moscow, which included a trip to the UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, followed by a move to AC Milan.
While Honda made 81 appearances for Milan, scoring nine goals and winning a Supercoppa Italiana in 2016, he struggled to find regular first team football and moved to Pachuca were he scored 10 goals in 29 games.