One of Japan’s longtime servants to the game of football is now in Melbourne Victory colors. Meet Keisuke Honda, a former Nagoya Grampus, CSKA Moscow, AC Milan and CF Pachuca standout. Honda has 37 goals in 98 appearances for Japan’s Samurai Blue and was named a designated foreign visa player by Kevin Muscat’s Melbourne Victory, alongside Kosta Barbarouses and Georg Niedermeier.
Welcome to Melbourne, @kskgroup2017! ようこそメルボルンへ、ケイスケ。 Details: https://t.co/fPseKvikMG #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/vVPCfyMw2C
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) August 6, 2018
“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,” said Victory chairman Anthony Di Pietro. “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.”
Our new marquee man is coming to Melbourne to win. 🇯🇵 #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/ZIkEF2opK9
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) August 6, 2018
“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,” said Muscat of Honda. “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.”
He always delivers on the biggest stage. 彼はいくつもの大舞台で輝きした。 #MVFC #OurVictory pic.twitter.com/ssmoGmkGZ1
— Melbourne Victory (@gomvfc) August 6, 2018
Melbourne are the defending A-League champions and are one of the most storied clubs in the competition. The Victory will look to begin their 2018-19 season on the right foot when they face Perth Glory, a club that has had form against Melbourne in the past and is now under the tutelage of former Western Sydney Wanderers manager Tony Popovic, in the FFA Cup Round of 32. The match is scheduled for Aug. 7 at 3:30 a.m. PT/6:30 a.m. ET at Dorrien Gardens, the home of Perth SC. Melbourne’s first A-League match is at home to Melbourne City on Oct. 20.
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