Thomas Vermaelen Joins Japanese Club, Vissel Kobe From FC Barcelona

Former Arsenal defender, Thomas Vermaelen has joined Japanese club, Vissel Kobe from Barcelona.

The 33-year-old Belgian footballer joins former Barca stars Andres Iniesta, David Villa and Sergi Samper at the club, who are currently 15th in the 18-team J.League.

The defender who was unveiled on Saturday, July 27, 2019, said at his unveiling: 'I think it is a very ambitious team, if you look at the signings that they have done in the past, with Andreas (Iniesta), David Villa, Sergi Samper, and Lukas Podolski.

'I know them all very well and for me that is a big part also of why it will be easier to come in to the team.'

'When the offer came I was very excited to come to this team.'

'I played the last couple of years in Barcelona and I learnt a lot there,' said Vermaelen.

'I think that is what they ask of me, to bring the experience of what I had in Barcelona, to bring that over here, I think that is what the owner wants.'

'I will also play out from the back, like I learnt in Barcelona and also play aggressive defensively so I will try and bring the complete package into this team.'

Vermaelen, who has 70 caps for Belgium played for Arsenal from 2009-2014, before joining Barcelona, where he only made 34 appearances for the Catalan side.