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Lukas Podolski confirms move to Japanese football

By , Senior Reporter
Lukas Podolski is to join Vissel Kobe in the summer following two years with Turkish giants Galatasaray, the forward has announced in an Instagram post.

Former Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has announced that he will leave Galatasaray to join Japanese side Vissel Kobe at the end of the season.

The 31-year-old, who has spent his entire career in European football, was recently tipped to reject the advances of Chinese Super League clubs and instead make the switch to the J1 League.

Podolski has now confirmed that an agreement has been reached with Vissel, which he puts down to wanting a "new challenge" rather than being forced out of Turkish giants Galatasaray.

I can confirm that at the end of this season I will join Vissel Kobe from the J-League in Japan. It's not a decision against Galatasaray, it's a decision I made for a new challenge, and I will explain more when the time is right. But right now my only focus is helping Galatasaray and our fantastic fans! 👍🏻🦁👊🏻 #Cimbom #Gala #Poldi

A post shared by Lukas Podolski (@poldi_official) on

Kobe chairman Hiroshi Mikitani said: "We are very excited to have a world-class striker join the Vissel Kobe team. We have very high expectations of Podolski's ability to take the Vissel Kobe team to victory in the J-League."

Podolski joined Galatasaray from Arsenal in 2015, winning the Turkish Cup and two Turkish Super Cups during his time in Istanbul.

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Galatasaray's German forward Lukas Podolski celebrates scoring during the UEFA Champions League football match between Galatasaray AS and SL Benfica at the Ali Sami Yen Spor Kompleks stadium in Istanbul on October 21, 2015.
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5EyupsporEyupspor1886429191030
6BesiktasBesiktas188642820830
7Istanbul BasaksehirIstanbul187562925426
8GaziantepGaziantep187472526-125
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10TrabzonsporTrabzonspor185763024622
11AlanyasporAlanyaspor185761921-222
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13AntalyasporAntalyaspor186392137-1621
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15SivassporSivasspor185582128-720
16KayserisporKayserispor183781734-1716
17Bodrumspor1843111425-1115
18Hatayspor1816111631-159
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