Japan: Rakuten-owned Vissel Kobe (J1 League) announces a 2019 pre-season tour in Los Angeles, USA

Vissel Kobe (J1 League), owned by Rakuten, a Japanese group specialised in Internet services, e-commerce, finance and digital content, has announced that it will take part in "the first pre-season tour of its kind", in Los Angeles (California, USA) in 2019, according to Rakuten on 18/01/2019. 

The Japanese club will play a series of friendlies versus the MLS clubs Columbus Crew SC, Los Angeles FC, and Toronto FC, and the second division club Orange County SC (see below). "World Cup winners Andrés Iniesta (ESP) and Lukas Podolski (GER) will join the tour, along with Vissel's latest signing David Villa (ESP) -- another World Cup winner -- who transferred to the team (from the MLS club New York City FC) at the end of 2018," said Rakuten.

"The games and training sessions will be a chance for Vissel Kobe and the J.League to pick up new fans as the team look to capitalize on their mix of international and domestic talent. It will also be a chance to offer unique experiences for the club’s local fan base. In collaboration with Vissel Kobe, Rakuten Travel has set up a special tour package…