Former Barcelona and Spain legend Andres Iniesta is set to play his final footballing years in the United Arab Emirates.
Iniesta has been without a club since his contract with Japanese club Vissel Kobe expired last July after a five-year spell.
It’s been widely reported that Iniesta was due to head to the USA to join former teammates Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets at Inter Miami. However, the scorer of the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final has instead decided to join UAE Pro League outfit Emirates Club.
First reported by renowned football journalist Fabrizio Romano, the Spain legend arrived in Dubai on Monday.
Speaking last month, the midfielder revealed plans to call time on his playing career, explaining to a sold-out Misaki Park Stadium in Japan that he had been through a ‘tough period’.
‘The last few months have been a really tough period both for me and those close to me,’ he said.
‘I have the desire to retire and close my career while playing on the pitch, and I’m taking my next step in accordance with that emotion.’
The player is expected to sign for Ras Al-Khaimah-based club Emirates Club FC on an initial deal until June 2024, with the option to extend by another year.
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The Middle East is proving a popular destination for some of the worlds biggest footballing stars.
Andreas Iniesta isn’t the first former Barcelona player to arrive in the UAE. Last year Paco Alcácer and Miralem Pjanic reunited in the Emirates signing for Sharjah FC.
DSCVR: Andreas Iniesta, Emirates Club FC. @Emirates_FC
