Former Spain international David Villa speaks during a press conference in Kobe, western Japan, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Villa announced to play for Vissel Kobe in the J1 League from the next season. (Junko Ozaki/Kyodo News via AP)
The Associated Press
TOKYO (AP) - Former Spain international David Villa will be reunited with former Barcelona teammate Andres Iniesta at Japanese club Vissel Kobe from next season.
The 36-year-old striker announced the move on Saturday via YouTube.
Villa on Wednesday announced he would leave U.S. Major League Soccer side New York City FC once his current contract expires at the end of December.
Villa started his career at Sporting Gijon in 2000 before stints with Real Zaragoza and Valencia. He joined Iniesta at Barcelona in 2010, where he won the Spanish league twice and the Champions League.
He was also a key member of Spain's 2010 World Cup-winning team in South Africa.
Vissel, which also signed former Germany star Lukas Podolski, finished 10th in the J-League first division following a disappointing 2018 season.
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Former Spain international David Villa waves to fans as he visits Noevir Stadium in Kobe, western Japan, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Villa announced to play for Vissel Kobe soccer club in the J1 League from the next season. (Junko Ozaki/Kyodo News via AP)
The Associated Press
Former Spain international David Villa holds a birthday cake given to him from Vissel Kobe soccer club, in Kobe, western Japan, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Villa will play for Vissel Kobe in the J1 League from the next season. His birthday is Dec. 3. (Junko Ozaki/Kyodo News via AP)
The Associated Press
Former Spain international David Villa holds a jersey of Vissel Kobe with Rakuten President and CEO Hiroshi Mikitani, owner of the Japanese soccer club, at a press conference in Kobe, western Japan, Saturday, Dec. 1, 2018. Villa will play for Vissel Kobe in the J1 League from the next season. (Junko Ozaki/Kyodo News via AP)
The Associated Press