The A-League finally has a new big-name star after Melbourne Victory confirmed the signing of Keisuke Honda to put an end to weeks of will-he-won’t-he speculation.
The 32-year-old, who has scored in the last three World Cups and boasts 37 goals in 98 games for Japan, arrives in Australia thanks to financial support from the $3m marquee fund set up by Football Federation Australia and Fox Sports.
In something of a coup for Victory, the former AC Milan and CSKA Moscow player becomes the A-League’s most globally-recognised star since his compatriot Shinji Ono, Alessandro Del Piero, Emile Heskey and David Villa played in Australia during the 2013-14 season.
Honda is expected to land in Melbourne next week and, while he was surprised to hear of Victory’s interest a week after Japan were knocked out of World Cup in Russia, he said Victory’s reputation and the passion of coach Kevin Muscat were enough to convince him to make the move.
“My brother is my agent and he told me after the World Cup that Melbourne Victory was interested in me,” Honda told Fox Sports. “I couldn’t believe it because I am Japanese and I never thought I’d play in Australia in my career.
“Melbourne Victory is the most successful club in the A-League over the last 13 years I think that’s amazing. They became champion many times. I’m proud of these kind of clubs. Also the manager Kevin [Muscat], he’s a really nice guy. When I talked to him he has big big passion. I love it. That’s a reason also why I decided to play with the club.”
Honda made a name for himself at Nagoya Grampus in the J-League before securing a move to Europe with VVV-Venlo in the Netherlands. Five seasons in Moscow followed, before he pricked the attention of AC Milan who snapped him up on a free transfer at the beginning of 2014. Then came a move from San Siro to Pachua in Mexico, where he scored 10 in 29 games.
“We’re honoured he’s chosen to join our club this season,” said Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro, while FFA CEO, David Gallop, called the signing a “significant boon” for the upcoming A-League season.
“To have a player of his experience, calibre and marketability will also boost the Hyundai A-League’s image and reputation within the Asian region and around the world,” said Gallop.
Honda’s ability in the final third helped Japan win the Asian Cup in 2011, when he was named the tournament’s most valuable player.
“It goes without saying that Keisuke has consistently proven himself at the highest level and we can’t wait to see what he can do in Melbourne,” said Muscat.
Honda is set to take his A-League bow in the opening round of the new season, when Victory play City in the Melbourne derby at Marvel Stadium.
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