Melbourne Victory have landed the biggest A-League signing in years, with Japanese star Keisuke Honda to join the club on a one-year deal. set to commit to joining the club for the upcoming 2018-19 season.
» REACTION: Why Honda is the perfect signing for Melbourne Victory
The Victory announced the signing at a press conference in Melbourne this morning after weeks of rumours surrounding Honda’s move to the A-League, and the player himself chimed in on Twitter as well.
Honda made 98 appearances for the Japanese national team, and scored 37 goals in that time, including one at the 2018 World Cup, before retiring from international football after the Samurai Blue were knocked out of Russia 2018 at the hands of eventual semi-finalists Belgium. However, at 32 years old, he is still close to the prime of his career.
“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,” coach Kevin Muscat said.
“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 Asian Champions League campaign too.”
Honda boasts an impressive footballing resume; he’s scored in three World Cups, played Champions League football, and enjoyed stints at the likes of Italian giants AC Milan, Russian powerhouse CSKA Moscow, and has also had stints in the Netherlands and, most recently, for Pachuca in Mexico.
However, the offer to come to Australia was a surprise to Honda, who admitted he never thought he’d play in the A-League.
“I couldn’t believe that because I’m Japanese and I never thought I would play in Australia in my career,” he said to Fox Sports.
“I (wanted) a new challenge so I’m satisfied.
“I checked a couple of things. Melbourne Victory is the most successful club in the A-League.
“I think that’s amazing, they became champions many times.
“Also the manager Kevin (Muscat) is a really nice guy. When I talked with him, he has big, big passion.
“I love it.”
The attacking midfielder, who can also play out wide, as a second striker or even as a number 9, will provide a massive boost both on and off the field to a Victory side which has lost a number of high-profile players since winning the 2017-18 championship, including Besart Berisha, Leroy George and Rhys Williams.
Honda’s one-year deal is thought to be worth somewhere around the $2.9 million mark, with $1.6 million of that coming from the FFA’s $3 million marquee fund (provided by broadcaster Fox Sports) and Melbourne providing the remaining $1.3 million.
In terms of player profile, Honda’s arrival will be the biggest marquee signing for the A-League since the arrivals of Alessandro Del Piero, Shinji Ono and Emile Heskey before the 2012-13 season.
“Today’s announcement that Keisuke Honda will be joining Melbourne Victory is a significant boon for the upcoming A-League season,” said FFA CEO David Gallop.
“To have a player of his experience, calibre and marketability will also boost the Hyundai A-League’s image and reputation within the Asian region and around the world.”
Honda is expected to arrive in Melbourne next week.
The Victory were believed to be in the running to secure the services of fringe Socceroos striker Jamie Maclaren as well, however the Darmstadt 98 attacker has instead moved on loan back to Scottish club Hibernian, where he enjoyed a successful second half of the season earlier this year.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Nice work. And I’d rather a Merc than a Honda :)
Will
Guest
If someone had told me that Australia would want to get a Japanese player or two as main draw cards as promoting the local league 15 years ago I would have given the person a blank stare. (The argument that time was the Australian player was better or at least equal on level with them) Fast forward to 2013 and 2018 and its a landmark moment not only for Japanese football given the work they have undertaken at youth development level but for Asian football as a whole where they can promote and sell a player as a main draw card in a emerging market like Australia given the confederation rivalry that Asian football has finally taken notice in Australia. A great day for Japanese and Asian football and a sign of the true times ahead for the sport in the future, could this be a norm where we see major marquee signings from Asian counties like Japan, China or even in India in the long term? The World game taking another chapter.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
If Wollongong don’t get in the A league next year . I’ll give it away . The wolves have to be locked in
BrainsTrust
Guest
its a poor deal for the money involved. Del Piero came at a smaller cost and with the FFA only putting in a small amount of money and Sydney Fc paying the vast majority. I wonder how much money they wasted on Cahill. Bolton would be worth over ten times what Honda is in marquee value easily.
Uncle
Guest
Well done to MV, but I can't really see how Honda's signing really helps the A League overall. Victory already boast the best crowds and tv ratings so the impact will be minimal at best. And if we are honest, Honda isn't going to drag an extra 5k thru the gates in Perth, Newcastle or Gosford. He is a great player but he doesn't really move the needle for the half interested soccer fan.
Rolly
Guest
Enough with more Sydney teams we need new markets not canabilising existing markets why do we have WSW if its not your team might as well change their name to parramatta Wanderers if you all want to create your own niche teams in the same goegraphic areas , the Wanderers is suppose to represent your region western Sydney and Sydney fc suppose to represent st George and sutherland area why another southern Sydney expansion bid if you have Sydneys fc and here you are talking about more teams in the same areas that already have teams .whats the point of expansion .lets get new markets new cities that have no teams in the A league and have a rich football history in before we get more teams in the same markets that have a team already.i am all for expansion but in new markets only .
midfielder
Guest
Great signing and well done to MV ...
Rolly
Guest
Great for the. ALeague but I have serious concerns that this marquee fund is not available to all. All A league clubs should have access to funds for a marquee player not just the same two The fund needs to be increased more private sector money as well as more from FFA. Look at last year Cahil was a waste at Melbourne in terms of crowds would have been a huge success at WSW .Foxtel want to contribute becuase of tv ratings and the only ratings they are interested in is Melbourne ratings by the looks of it .The governing body if we had a real one will real football background leaders should insist where the marquees will be best suited they got it wrong with Cahil and provide more funding to all clubs not let foxtel influence the final outcome which i am sure is the case here.the comp still needs expansion urgently to sixteen teams ten teams isn't enough to garner more interest .
That A-League Fan
Roar Guru
Kevin Muscat is a nice guy? I'm not so sure about that, not just because I'm an AUFC supporter. Hopefully his signing will add something extra to the rivalries with Melbourne City, Sydney FC and Adelaide United.
Nemesis
Guest
I'm sure no one at MVFC gives a stuff whether you travel to watch Honda play. MVFC's home games are virtually fully ticketed at AAMI Park & I'd be surprised if there are any spare seats at Docklands for the opening Melbourne Derby. Enjoy the EPL. I'm looking forward to the start next week. It's been tough since the World Cup ended to be living in Australia without any professional quality club sport to watch on TV.
Oldpsyco
Guest
Nothing against the man, he is obviously a good player. He just doesn't inspire me to travel to watch him play. Yes I'm biased towards ex EPL players, I grew up watching them on TV and have feasted on the EPL ever since. There are a few from around the world I'd pay a premium to watch but sorry Honda ain't one of em!
Nemesis
Guest
Pretty standard way to finance any investment. Very few people pay for any large investment with their own cash (unless they're engaged in Tony Soprano style cash businesses). Very few Aussies would buy their biggest investment - the family home - without financing from outside parties. For this investment, Fox Sports is the outside party. They're willing to sink A$1.6M and, I presume, they expect the investment will have a positive return at, or above, their WACC.
Ian
Guest
so other parties paid the majority so MV could acquire Honda? Let's get some of that action happening at Brisbane.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Senna and Prost
Redondo
Guest
Honda is a great signing. Eto'o would be too - he has just terminated his contract at Konyaspor so it's a possibility Sydney could sign him. Apparently he is still very fit and mobile.
Kangas
Roar Rookie
Fadida I like it that he is playing in the A league First 2 people to comment to me on it , is why are Melbourne victory getting financial help for Honda I don’t know the ins and outs , but the perception for some is unfair . Anyhow let’s wait and see his impact , he is damn smart and skilled player. Let’s hope the jets make a key signing soon .
Cousin Claudio
Roar Guru
Since the 2017 season kicked off, the A-League is shown live in every country in the world; https://www.a-league.com.au/news/hyundai-a-league-201718-season-goes-truly-global Where's the Trade Minister now to leverage off the great penetration in Asia this signing will have? Victory v Sydney FC in Beijing. Oh wait, he's still eating caviar and lobster in China waiting for the next Victorian RUles exhibition match to kick off.
Lionheart
Guest
Nice line, but no, I am extremely pleased Jamie did not head to MV.
Fadida by
Guest
They know Usain Bolt Bondy. He'll cover the casual sports watcher market
Lionheart
Guest
It says FFA/Fox gave $1.6mil and MV $1.3 mil.