Keisuke Honda has revealed he may have retired after the World Cup if Melbourne Victory hadn't offered him a deal.
The Japan star has signed a one-year deal with the reigning A-League champions believed to be worth almost $3 million.
He said at his first press conference after arriving in Melbourne that the approach Victory coach Kevin Muscat made to him persuaded him to have a re-think on his future.
I changed my mind after I spoke to Kevin directly.
Keisuke Honda
The 32-year-old, who has retired from the international game after earning 98 caps, said: "I was thinking to quit my career after the World Cup but lucky this club made me a great offer that's changed my career.
"I changed my mind after I spoke to Kevin directly. He said to me he really wants to succeed as a club...so he's an ambitious person and I'm an ambitious person as well, so I was inspired by him."
Muscat isn't yet saying what role he has earmarked for the versatile Honda.
The man named player of the tournament at the 2011 Asian Cup made his name as an attacking midfielder, but can also play as a winger or as a deep-lying playmaker.
"It's given me a great deal of time to think about how we set up but rest assured that our members and fans should be excited about the prospect because we've got some real flexibility in our attacking sense," said the coach.
Dead-ball specialist Honda could make his debut for Victory in next week's FFA Cup round of 16 tie against NSW NPL side Apia Leichhardt.
Melbourne Victory are 9/2 to win the A-League Grand Final.
Victory are 17/10 to win their first league game against Melbourne City, who are 7/5 with the draw 13/5.
View all Soccer betting
Keisuke Honda has revealed he may have retired after the World Cup if Melbourne Victory hadn't offered him a deal.
The Japan star has signed a one-year deal with the reigning A-League champions believed to be worth almost $3 million.
He said at his first press conference after arriving in Melbourne that the approach Victory coach Kevin Muscat made to him persuaded him to have a re-think on his future.
I changed my mind after I spoke to Kevin directly.
Keisuke Honda
The 32-year-old, who has retired from the international game after earning 98 caps, said: "I was thinking to quit my career after the World Cup but lucky this club made me a great offer that's changed my career.
"I changed my mind after I spoke to Kevin directly. He said to me he really wants to succeed as a club...so he's an ambitious person and I'm an ambitious person as well, so I was inspired by him."
Muscat isn't yet saying what role he has earmarked for the versatile Honda.
The man named player of the tournament at the 2011 Asian Cup made his name as an attacking midfielder, but can also play as a winger or as a deep-lying playmaker.
"It's given me a great deal of time to think about how we set up but rest assured that our members and fans should be excited about the prospect because we've got some real flexibility in our attacking sense," said the coach.
Dead-ball specialist Honda could make his debut for Victory in next week's FFA Cup round of 16 tie against NSW NPL side Apia Leichhardt.
Melbourne Victory are 9/2 to win the A-League Grand Final.
Victory are 17/10 to win their first league game against Melbourne City, who are 7/5 with the draw 13/5.
View all Soccer betting
Source: bet365.com