Honda switches to A League, joins Melbourne Victory

Melbourne, August 6: In what the Australian media described as A League's biggest signing since Italian great Alessandro Del Piero joined Sydney FC in 2012, Japan midfielder Keisuke Honda has signed up with champions Melbourne Victory for the 2018-19 season.

The former AC Milan player bowed out of international football after Japan's exit from the last 16 at the World Cup in Russia, having represented the nation 98 times and scored 37 goals.

Honda's signing is a coup for Victory after the departure of stalwart striker Besart Berisha and a bonus for the Australian league which has struggled to lure world class talent.

"I'm so happy to join the club," Honda, wearing a Melbourne Victory shirt, said from Los Angeles in an interview with local broadcaster Fox Sports.

Our new marquee man is coming to Melbourne to win. 🇯🇵 #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/ZIkEF2opK9

— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) August 6, 2018

"I think Melbourne Victory is the best club in Australia. I am honoured. I will make the club win. I have confidence, I will help the team as much as I can.

"I'm an ambitious person and I always work my best, so let's make it happen."

National governing body Football Federation Australia confirmed it would make a significant contribution to Honda's multi-million dollar salary out of its marquee fund.

"The marquee fund ... was set up for just this purpose," A League boss Greg O'Rourke told a media conference in Melbourne.

"We set out about three months ago with only two or three names (in consideration), one of those was Keisuke Honda.It's fantastic that we take this next step to bring Asia to the A-League."

Osaka-born 32-year-old Honda, a set piece maestro capable of playing across the forward line, underlined his class with a goal against Senegal at the World Cup, which made him his nation's only player to score at three of the global showpieces.

He said his agent brother had told him of Victory's interest a week after the World Cup but he had never thought of continuing his career Down Under.

"I couldn't believe that because I am a Japanese and I never thought I would play in Australia in my career," said the bleach blond playmaker, whose last club stint was with Mexican side Pachuca.

.@kskgroup2017 is no stranger to Australian football.

Read about his history with the @Socceroos: https://t.co/n3nkWUlF6P pic.twitter.com/zBJFBOraSy

— Hyundai A-League (@ALeague) August 6, 2018

"I checked a couple of things. Melbourne Victory is the most successful club in the A-league in the last 13 years, they became champions many times, I am proud of this kind of club.

"Also the manager Kevin (Muscat), he is a really nice guy when I talked with him.

"He has a big, big passion. I love it, so I think that reason was also why I decided to play with the club."

I signed！Look forward to seeing you in Australia!!

— KeisukeHonda(本田圭佑) (@kskgroup2017) August 6, 2018

Muscat coached Victory to a record fourth A-League title last season and said he was convinced Honda could make a big contribution.

"He's a hugely driven individual as no doubt many people have seen over the years in his career," Muscat told reporters.

"From a football side of things who can contribute and contribute heavily to my team and the competition was the most defining thing for me.

"He's still got so much more to offer in relation to football."

(With inputs from Agencies)