Aston Villa have announced that they have entered a partnership with Vissel Kobe, with the two clubs working together to help each other in a number of areas.
The agreement between Villa and Kobe seems to be similar to that between the club and ZED FC, where they will “work to create a bilateral development framework for players and staff". It is hoped that the partnership will also open up a pathway for talented Japanese youngsters to make their way in European football.
Villa confirmed that a senior delegation from the Japanese club will visit at the end of the month, while two of the team’s Under 16 players will come to train at Bodymoor Heath. Explaining the partnership Villa owner Nassef Sawiris has outlined the areas where the two clubs will work together: “The clubs will work together and share knowledge in key areas such as performance, scouting and recruitment, data analysis, first team squad management, commercial and brand awareness,” he said.
READ MORE: Every word Nassef Sawiris has said about Aston Villa partnership with Vissel Kobe
READ MORE: Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens confirm huge Aston Villa deal with Japanese giants
So, who are Vissel Kobe? BirminghamLive has taken a closer look at the latest club to have an association with Villa.
Who are Vissel Kobe?
Vissel Kobe are a Japanese top-tier side, who play their football in the J League. They were founded in 1965 and play their football at the Noevir Stadium and are based in Kobe.
In 2004 they were sold to Crimson Group, who are the parent company of Rakuten. Rakuten completed a purchase of the club from the Crimson Group in 2014.
They have enjoyed recent success, winning the Japanese Cup for the first time in 2019. The club won the Chūgoku Soccer League, the fifth tier of Japanese football, five times between 1979 and 1985.
How are they doing this season?
Since joining the J League in 1997, Kobe have suffered relegation twice, in 2005 and 2012, but on both occasions, they bounced straight back at the first attempt. Their highest-ever finish in the league is 3rd in 2021.
Last season Kobe finished in 13th place in the league, but have had a successful season this time around. With five games of the season remaining, the club currently sit top of the table four points clear of second-placed Yokohama FM, who they beat 2-0 in their last outing.
Known players?
The most famous player in Europe in the current Vissel Kobe squad is former Chelsea and Manchester United midfielder Juan Mata. The 35-year-old completed a move to the club last month on a free transfer after leaving Galatasaray in the summer.
Mata has made one appearance in the J League since moving to the club. But he has been an unused substitute for the last two games.
Mata is not the only big European player to have pulled on a Vissel Kobe shirt. Former striker David Villa played for the club for one season between January 2019 and February 2020, before announcing his retirement, he scored 13 times in 29 appearances.
Another striker in Lucas Podolski also played for the club between 2017 and 2020. He scored 17 times and provided 12 assists in 60 appearances.
Former Barcelona centre-back Thomas Vermaelen ended his career with the club, spending two-and-a-half years in Japan between summer 2019 and January 2022. Another former Barcelona man Bojan Krkic also ended his career with the club he played 26 times between summer 2021 and March 2023.
Andres Iniesta is probably the most famous to have played for the club. The midfielder joined on a free transfer from Barcelona in 2018 and left in the summer, joining Emirates Club after making 134 appearances for Kobe.
