Ex-Arsenal star makes the switch to Japan

Former Arsenal forward Lukas Podolski has confirmed that he would be leaving Galatasaray for a move to Japanese club Vissel Kobe at the end of the campaign.

The 31-year-old, who has spent his entire career in Europe's top divisions, is said to have snubbed interest from several Chinese clubs to secure his switch to the J1 League.

The German footballer and World Cup winner revealed the agreement via an Instagram post where he highlighted his desire for a fresh challenge rather than being forced out of the Turkish giants.

Kobe chairman also expressed his delight at the deal, he 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, 31, left the Gunners for Gala in the summer of 2015 and has since won the Turkish Cup and two Turkish Super Cups at the Istanbul outfit.