MILAN – Today is special for Keisuke Honda.

The Milan number 10 was born in Osaka on June 13th, 1986. He started his career at Nagoya Grampus in his native Japan before moving to Holland, where he played for VVV-Venlo from January 2008, scoring 26 goals in 74 matches over successful 2 years, which included promotion to the Eredivisie in season 20008/09.

In January 2010 he landed in Russia at CSKA Moscow, where he stayed until January 2014. Four trophy-laden seasons (1 Russian league title, 2 Russian Cups and 1 Russian Super Cup, and one Player of the Year) caught many clubs’ attention but it was the red and black stripes of Milan that proved most alluring in January 2014, when he fulfilled his ambition to play for the Rossoneri.

He made his debut at Sassuolo that same month, and scored his first goal in the TIM Cup against Spezia at the San Siro on January 15th.

46 appearances in total now for Keisuke and 8 goals, 43 of his matches and 7 of his goals have come in Serie A, the remainder in the Coppa Italia.

Many happy returns, Keisuke, from Milan and all Milanisti!