Iniesta signs with Japan's Vissel Kobe

Iniesta had earlier posted a picture of himself captioned "heading to my new home"

Andres Iniesta has signed with Japanese side Vissel Kobe Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta (right) and Hiroshi Mikitani, chairman and CEO of Rakuten Inc and owner of Vissel Kobe, with Iniesta's new team jersey | Reuters

Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has signed with Japanese side Vissel Kobe, kicking off a new chapter in his career after a storied 16 years with Barcelona, the J-League club said on Thursday.

Iniesta, who had spent his entire career with Barcelona, was introduced at a news conference in Tokyo by Kobe owner Hiroshi Mikitani.

Ahead of the official announcement, Iniesta had posted on Instagram a photo of himself and Mikitani with a message that he was “heading to my new home”.

Mikitani is also the head of Barca’s main sponsor Rakuten.