ON THIS DAY: Thousands of Vissel Kobe fans welcome Barca legend Iniesta

On this day (26th May) in 2018, Vissel Kobe welcomed Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta to Japan, as the midfielder appeared in his new club strip for the first time at the Noevir Stadium.

Earlier in the week Iniesta flew to Tokyo with his new boss, Japanese billionaire Kobe owner Hiroshi Mikitani and the pair appeared at a packed news conference at a central Tokyo hotel.

Terms of the contract were not disclosed, but Japanese media are reporting he will earn 30 million US dollars annually on a three-year deal.

34 year-old Iniesta scored the winning goal for Spain in the 2010 World Cup final.

He also was a key part of Spain's two European Championships in 2008 and 2012.

Iniesta announced last month he would leave Barcelona after 16 seasons.

His last match for the Spanish club was the previous Sunday against Real Sociedad at the Camp Nou.