Melbourne Victory Football Club is delighted to confirm the signing of Keisuke Honda, the highest scoring Asian player in FIFA World Cup history.
This announcement represents the biggest signing in Melbourne Victory’s history, with Keisuke set to become a Club and League marquee player for the 2018/19 season. This accomplishment has been achieved with the support of Football Federation Australia and broadcast partner, Fox Sports, which the Club greatly appreciates.
His arrival will be welcomed by our members & fans, our corporate partners and the wider football family and will trigger global interest in the Hyundai A-League and Melbourne Victory.
Honda is the highest-profile player to join Melbourne Victory; a genuine world class player who has enjoyed success at club and international level, playing at AC Milan (Italy) Pachuca (Mexico), VVV-Venlo (Holland), CSKA Moscow (Russia) and Nagoya Grampus (Japan). In 2011, Honda played an integral role in Japan’s AFC Asian Cup winning squad and was awarded ‘most valuable player’ of the tournament.
In 98 appearances for the Japan National Team he scored 37 goals and is credited with being the only Japanese player to score at three different World Cups (2010, 2014, 2018).
Honda has equally impressive business acumen having recently launched a venture capital fund with one of Hollywood’s most recognisable stars, Will Smith. Called “The Dreamers Fund”, the pair intend to raise $100 million for investments in start-up ventures with a social conscience.
Honda’s connection with Melbourne is already established. He has visited our city on multiple occasions having played at both AAMI Park and Etihad Stadium for his national team. His links extend, as he was born in Osaka in 1986, the city with whom Melbourne established its first sister city relationship 40 years ago.
In addition, Honda also started his professional career in Aichi Prefecture, which is celebrating 38 years as a sister state to Victoria.
While his football pedigree is at the core of the decision to bring him to the Club, his signing also creates incredible opportunities to establish people-to-people relationships, with the aim of developing mutual friendships on a domestic and international scale.
We look forward to welcoming Keisuke and his family into our Victory family, with his expected arrival to be next week.
Quotes attributable to Anthony Di Pietro, Chairman, Melbourne Victory Football Club
“Signing Keisuke is a triumph for our Club and matches the ambition we have to grow the Melbourne Victory brand and deliver success both on and off the field to our members, fans and corporate partners.”
“This signing presents a wonderful opportunity for the Victory family and I want to be bold and say that we will be the first A-League club to achieve 30,000 members and beyond.”
“We would like to acknowledge and thank Football Federation Australia and Fox Sports, for helping make today possible.”
Quotes attributable to Kevin Muscat, Head coach, Melbourne Victory Football Club
“It goes without saying that Keisuke has consistently proven himself at the highest level and we can’t wait to see what he can do in Melbourne.”
“He brings world-class ability and offers great flexibility in the front third of the pitch.”
“It’s obviously an added benefit to have him a part of our AFC Asian Champions League campaign too.”
