KYODO NEWS - Nov 7, 2019 - 11:46 | Sports, All

Former Japan international midfielder Keisuke Honda has joined Vitesse Arnhem in the Dutch first division on a contract running until the end of the season, the club said Wednesday.

Honda, who parted ways with Australian side Melbourne Victory at the end of last season, had been training with Vitesse since the end of October.

He said in a statement that he hopes fans in the Netherlands remember him from the time he played with VVV-Venlo, who he joined in 2008 from Japanese side Nagoya Grampus.

(Keisuke Honda (C) celebrates with teammates Gaku Shibasaki (L) and Yuya Osako (R) after scoring against Senegal at the 2018 World Cup in Russia)

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According to Vitesse, Honda is awaiting clearance on a work permit, and is expected to join the side after the international break.

The 33-year-old, who played at three FIFA World Cups, has said he wants to be selected as an overage player for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. He has also led the Cambodian national team as general manager since last year.

I'm excited to play in Holland again! See you at stadium! ⁦@MijnVitesse⁩



オランダのフィテッセでプレーします！さー気張ってきます！ pic.twitter.com/2jbJOrPOeL — KeisukeHonda(本田圭佑) (@kskgroup2017) November 6, 2019

Honda announced his retirement from the national team following the 2018 World Cup in Russia. He scored 37 goals in 98 appearances for the senior national team.

He also had stints abroad with teams including Mexican side Pachuca and AC Milan in Italy.