KYODO NEWS - Jul 21, 2018 - 12:55 | Sports, All

Vissel Kobe manager Takayuki Yoshida said Saturday the club's new signing Andres Iniesta will make his J-League debut when they host Shonan Bellmare at Noevir Stadium on Sunday.

Yoshida said it is unlikely that Iniesta, who arrived in Japan only three days ago, will be in the starting lineup due to his physical condition, but said fans can expect to see the Barcelona legend make a substitute appearance at their home stadium on Sunday evening.

"I will use him at some point for sure. I know fans want to see him play," Yoshida said.

(Iniesta high-fives kids at Kobe's Noevir Stadium in May)

Iniesta, who scored Spain's winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, is believed to have inked a multiyear deal with an annual salary of $30 million.

The 34-year-old joined his first training session with Vissel on Friday and did not speak to reporters after Saturday's training.

Iniesta announced his retirement from international play on July 1 after earning his 131st cap with Spain, who were knocked out of the 2018 World Cup by hosts Russia in the round of 16 on penalties.