Keisuke Honda is considering a 2017 move to MLS, according to a Japanese report.
A Japanese outlet reported on Tuesday that Honda is potentially interested in joining New York City FC or the LA Galaxy next season. The long-time Japan national team midfielder’s contract with AC Milan is set to expire in June.
Honda, 30, signed with Milan in January 2014 and has eight goals and 10 assists in 74 career Serie A matches with the Italian giants. Capable of playing as an attacking central midfielder or on the wing, Honda previously played for Russian club CSKA Moscow, Dutch side VVV-Venlo and Nagoya Grampus in Japan.
A member of Japan's team at the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, Honda has 36 goals and 21 assists in 82 career senior caps.
He’s shown interest in a potential move to the United States in the past, telling FOX Soccer in January that he’s “very interested in MLS” while he was in Southern California to begin the process of establishing a youth academy in the US.
Honda has appeared sparingly in the early portion of AC Milan’s season, playing just 11 minutes in the club’s opening three league games under first-year manager Vincenzo Montella.
Both LA and NYCFC figure to have at least one Designated Player slot available next season, with the Galaxy’s Steven Gerrard and NYCFC’s Frank Lampard and Andrea Pirlo all reportedly set to be out of contract at the end of 2016.
