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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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1GalatasarayGalatasaray33293177215690
2Fenerbahce33275187305786
3TrabzonsporTrabzonspor331741256431355
4BesiktasBesiktas33156124438651
5Istanbul BasaksehirIstanbul33147124438649
6Caykur RizesporCaykur Rizespor33146134349-648
7KasimpasaKasimpasa33137135559-446
8AntalyasporAntalyaspor331112103838045
9AlanyasporAlanyaspor331112104346-345
10SivassporSivasspor331112104045-545
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12Samsunspor33109143743-639
13AnkaragucuAnkaragucu33813124043-337
14KayserisporKayserispor331010133747-1037
15KonyasporKonyaspor33812133447-1336
16GaziantepGaziantep3397173750-1334
17Fatih KaragumrukKaragumruk3389163742-533
18Hatayspor33712143746-933
19Pendikspor3379173768-3130
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