The event, which started at 17:00, took place at Bakcell Arena, Offsideplus.az reports. The 35-year-old midfielder, who signed an official contract, chose the number 4 jersey at Neftchi. Kamran Guliyev, the president of the "whites and blacks", wished Honda success in his new club and expressed confidence that he will be a part of the team in the championship. It suits both Neftchi and our community. Honda watched our game with us yesterday. Keysuke, welcome, have a good time! "
The midfielder shared his thoughts and said that he would do his best for Neftchi's championship:
"Thank you very much for this wonderful presentation. I am very happy to be here, I will do my best to make Neftchi champions. However, this path will not be easy, because our rivals are very strong. Neftchi wants to be champions, and I am ambitious. I came. "
Honda and the club's president then answered journalists' questions.
The Japanese footballer commented on the performance of his new team before coming to Baku: "Before I came, I watched two games of Neftchi. The team plays well in defense. I am an attacking player. I will try to help the attack. The team has not been a champion for a long time. I will do my best to become a champion. "
Kamran Guliyev recalled that the star player played against the Azerbaijani national team: "If I'm not mistaken, we played a friendly match with Japan in 2012. I watched that match myself. Honda had a chance to score. But his great free-kick was blocked by Kamran Agayev."
Honda said there were some reasons for choosing Neftchi: "I received an offer from another club in January. But I wanted to play in Europe. Neftchi was a great club. Thank you for giving me this opportunity. I was asked why you do not return to Japan. I played there for 3 years, I'm not interested anymore. I told them that this was a new challenge for me. It is true that I made many mistakes during my career. But I will not repeat them here. "
Honda said that Neftchi watched the 20th round match of the Azerbaijani Premier League against Sabail at home yesterday and the game was well received: "If I'm not mistaken, we haven't won any team with 4 goals this season. Defenders also played well, we didn't concede a goal. "It's a positive point. We had a lot of chances to score yesterday and we won confidently. I can help my team in the attack plan."
The president of Neftchi said that the remaining 8 matches of the championship can be successful for the Japanese player as well: "Therefore, good luck to Honda. The more players come to Azerbaijan at this level, the better. We want to believe that his arrival will be the championship we have wanted for many years. "Of course, Neftchi is the most titled club in the country. He also knows where he comes from and who he comes to. He comes to our fans. If he helps us in 8 games, if we become champions, we can talk about a new contract in the summer."
Honda explained why he chose the number 4 jersey: "I also played for the Japanese national team under this number. I scored more goals with the number 4 than with the number 10. Some of you may laugh at my answer. It is very difficult to hold a press conference with such questions. ".
The 35-year-old also clarified the issue of coaching the Cambodian national team. According to him, he was not the head coach of the national team, but the general manager: "There is a big project here. There are good people working there. It will not be a problem for me to spend time with the national team. Of course, my club is in the first place."
Keysuke clarified that he could not play for Portimonense in Portugal due to the winter transfer window, adding: "We have to think about our game. If our team shows good results, not only me, but also other players will receive offers."
Honda said he was proud to play in eight countries. The experienced midfielder said that this is not the end: "I believe that there will be other countries in my career."