Japanese football has garnered a wealth of welcome attention following their recent transfer business that has seen former Liverpool and Chelsea forward Fernando Torres move to J1 League side Sagan Tosu and Spain/ Barcelona legend Andres Iniesta ending his illustrious career with the Blaugrana by transferring to Vissel Kobe.
There will be even more of a distinct La Roja aesthetic in the Land of the Rising Sun with the news that David Villa is set to reunite with his former Barca and national teammate Iniesta at Vissel.
Villa has been plying his trade with the City Group for the past four years with MLS side New York City FC - with a brief loan spell at Melbourne City in Australia in 2014.
Villa commented on the announcement via YouTube (quotes provided by BBCSport);
"The moment has come,"
he said.
"It's decided. I have a new destination. A great challenge awaits. Asia. New trips. New country. New culture. New team-mates. Hello Japan. Hello Vissel Kobe."
The 36-year-old forward has won almost everything there is to win at the top game. The Spaniard can consider in his silverware haul a brace of La Liga titles and a Champions League medal, as well as the World Cup and Euro 2008 alongside Iniesta.
He has been named in the FIFA World XI team and the World Cup Dream Team - both received in 2010.
Villa earned just two caps off a century of appearances for the Spain national side.
At club level he made a total of almost 500 appearances for Spanish sides Sporting Gijon, Real Zaragoza, Valencia, Barca, and Atletico Madrid, where he helped Los Rojiblancos win their first La Liga title since 1996.
