Melbourne Victory announced the biggest signing in its history on Monday morning, confirming that Keisuke Honda will join the club for the 2018/19 season.
One of the best players to come out of Japan, we take a look at Honda’s remarkable achievements for both club and country.
WATCH: Victory announces Honda signing
Samurai Blue star
At international level, Honda has been Japan’s go-to man since his breakthrough performances at the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
He scored two goals for the Samurai Blue, the winner against Cameroon and a stunning free kick against Denmark.
Honda went to another level during the 2011 AFC Asian Cup in Qatar, playing a starring role as Japan went on to be crowned Champions for the fourth time.
He was awarded Player of the Tournament for his standout displays.
Honda again found the net at both the 2014 World Cup and the 2018 World Cup, becoming the highest-scoring Asian player in the history of the competition.
His strike against Senegal in Russia also meant he became the first ever Asian player to have scored against a nation of every continent.
Honda retired from international duty at the end of the tournament but has subsequently stated his desire to play for Japan at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
First-team regular around the world
Honda began his professional career in 2004 as a 17-year-old in the J1 League with Nagoya Grampus before making the move to Dutch side VVV-Venlo in 2008.
His performances in Holland caught the eye of Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, who signed Honda on a four-year deal in the January 2010 transfer window.
In Russia, Honda’s career continued to gather momentum as he enjoyed domestic success – most notably the Russian Premier League title in 2012/13 – and regular continental football in both the UEFA Champions League and Europa League.
When his contract with CSKA expired at the end of the 2013 he joined Italian giant AC Milan as a free agent. Honda enjoyed four seasons at Milan, making 92 appearances for the Rossoneri.
He joined his most recent club, Mexican side Pachuca in July 2017 and scored 10 goals in 32 appearances during the 2017/18 season.