Thomas Vermaelen joins a number of his former Barcelona teammates and becomes the latest to sign for Japanese side Vissel Kobe.
The Belgian reunits with Andres Iniesta and Sergi Samper, former Barca and Atletico star David Villa is in this team as well.
The 33-year-old Belgian international joins the team against whom FC Barcelona will play their second pre-season friendly in the city of Kobe.
Signing for Barcelona in the summer of 2014, Vermaelen played for a total of four seasons at the club (53 official matches, one goal), since the 2016/17 campaign was played on loan at AS Roma.
Vermaelen, who ended his contract with FC Barcelona on June 30, won nine titles whilst at Barcelona: four leagues, a Champions League, three Copas del Rey and a Club World Cup.
With the signing, CEO of Rakuten and chairmen of Vissel Kobe Hiroski Mikitani, continues his dream of building a mini Barcelona in Japan.