Football: Japan's Honda joins Mexican side Pachuca

Tokyo (AFP) – Japan international Keisuke Honda has signed for Mexico’s Pachuca, the former AC Milan player announced on social media Friday, ending months of speculation about his future.

The 31-year-old left the Serie A side at the end of last season after a frustrating three-year spell in Italy.

A video post on Honda’s official Instagram page showed him signing on the dotted line for the CONCACAF champions along with the caption: “Signed new contract at CF Pachuca in Mexico!”

Honda, instantly recognisable with his bleach-blond surfer’s haircut, shot to fame after helping Japan reach the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa before they were knocked out by Paraguay on penalties.

Japan’s talismanic playmaker continued to attract attention at CSKA Moscow after joining the Russians from Dutch side VVV-Venlo in late 2009 but failed to establish himself following his move to Milan.

Honda, who describes himself on his Instagram page as “soccer player, entrepreneur and educator”, was recently linked with Turkey’s Galatasaray and several MSL sides, including LA Galaxy.