Aug. 8 (UPI) — Veteran midfielder Andres Iniesta, who spent more than two decades at Barcelona, signed with Emirates Club, the UAE Pro League soccer club announced.
Emirates Club announced the signing Monday night. He agreed to a one-year deal, with an option for the 2024 campaign.
“Ready for a new challenge,” Iniesta wrote on Instagram.
Iniesta, 39, started his youth tenure with Barcelona in 1996. He made his senior team debut in 2002. Iniesta went on to star with soccer legends Lionel Messi, Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Xavi, Samuel Eto’o and Carles Puyol, among others, at the Spanish La Liga club.
Iniesta left Barcelona in 2018 to join Vissel Kobe of the J1 League, the top level of soccer in Japan. Iniesta scored 21 goals in 114 appearances for the club.
Emirates Club finished second in the UAE First Division last season to earn promotion to the UAE Pro League. They will face Al Wasl in their league opener at 10 a.m. EDT Aug. 19 at Zabeel Stadium in Dubai.
