Iniesta closing in on move to Japan

DEPARTING Barcelona captain Andrés Iniesta is on the verge of signing for Japanese topflight side Vissel Kobe, with a deal expected to be announced later today.

Iniesta (above) played his final game for the Spanish champions on Sunday, bringing to an end a 16-year spell at the club that saw him win eight La Liga titles and four Champions Leagues.

Iniesta flew to Japan yesterday to finalise personal terms with Kobe, who are owned by the chief executive of Barcelona’s main sponsor Rakuten.

The 33-year-old is expected to sign a three-year deal, who have never won a league championship and currently sit sixth in the 18-team J1 League.